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Emerging functions for neuropeptide Y5 receptors
1Department of Medicine, Klinikum Essen, Germany.
Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
|April 22, 1999
Summary
The Y5 receptor
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The Y5 receptor subtype of neuropeptide Y (NPY) was thought to mediate NPY-stimulated food intake.
- Recent data challenge the exclusive role of the Y5 receptor in food intake regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the potential existence of additional NPY receptor subtypes.
- To explore the presence of these subtypes in peripheral tissues.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific data and literature.
- Discussion of the distribution of Y5 receptor mRNA in the central nervous system (CNS).
Main Results:
- The Y5 receptor's role in food intake is questioned.
- Y5-like receptors in the periphery are implicated in diverse functions beyond food intake, including anti-epileptic activity, reduced morphine withdrawal, diuresis, natriuresis, blood glucose regulation, and reduced acetylcholine release.
- mRNA for the cloned Y5 receptor appears restricted to the CNS.
Conclusions:
- The functions attributed to Y5-like receptors may involve additional, yet uncharacterized, NPY receptor subtypes.
- These potential subtypes might be present in peripheral tissues, explaining observed physiological effects.
- Further research is needed to identify and characterize these novel NPY receptor subtypes.