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Characterization of G Protein-coupled Receptors by a Fluorescence-based Calcium Mobilization Assay
Published on: July 28, 2014
Molecular evolution of NPY receptor subtypes
1Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Pharmacology, Box 593 Uppsala University, SE-75124 Uppsala, Sweden. dan.larhammar@neuro.uu.se
Neuropeptides
|September 1, 2004
Summary
The neuropeptide Y (NPY) system
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Genomics
Background:
- The neuropeptide Y (NPY) system, crucial for appetite and anxiety, exhibits complex evolution across vertebrates.
- Vertebrate ancestors likely possessed a single NPY peptide gene and three Y receptor genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary history and gene repertoire of the NPY system in vertebrates.
- To understand gene duplication and loss events shaping NPY receptor diversity.
- To explore functional implications of gene loss in mammals and teleost fishes.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomics analysis of NPY system genes across vertebrate lineages.
- Phylogenetic reconstruction to infer ancestral gene content and duplication events.
- Analysis of gene loss patterns and their potential functional consequences.
Main Results:
- Ancestral gnathostomes likely had two peptide genes (NPY, PYY) and at least seven Y receptor genes.
- Mammals have lost Yb and Y7 receptors, with Y6 being a pseudogene in some species.
- Teleost fishes lost appetite-stimulating Y1 and Y5 receptors, suggesting alternative pathways for NPY signaling.
Conclusions:
- Vertebrate NPY system evolution is characterized by gene duplication and differential gene loss.
- Mammalian and teleost fish lineages have undergone distinct gene losses, impacting NPY system functions.
- Further research is needed to understand functional compensation and adaptation in NPY signaling pathways.
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