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Broad characterization of endogenous peptides in the tree shrew visual system
Vaclav Ranc1, Filomena Petruzziello, Robert Kretz
1University of Fribourg, Department of Medicine, Fribourg, Switzerland.
This study provides the first comprehensive overview of neuropeptides in the mammalian visual system, identifying 52 peptides, including 26 novel ones, in the tree shrew visual cortex (V1), lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), and superior colliculus (SC). Findings reveal differential peptide abundance across these regions, paving the way for understanding visual perception mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Visual System Research
Background:
- Endogenous neuropeptides are crucial neurotransmitters and hormones regulating neural plasticity, metabolism, and angiogenesis.
- Prior neuropeptide research predominantly focused on peptide-rich brain areas like the striatum and hypothalamus.
- The mammalian visual system, generally less peptide-rich, remained understudied regarding its neuropeptide composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide the first broad overview of peptides involved in mammalian visual functions.
- To investigate the neuropeptide landscape in key visual system structures: primary visual cortex (V1), lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), and superior colliculus (SC).
- To establish a foundation for exploring neuropeptide-regulated mechanisms of visual perception.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a combination of data-dependent acquisition and targeted LC-MS/MS based neuropeptidomics in the tree shrew model.
- Identified a total of 52 peptides within the tree shrew visual system.
- Performed label-free quantitation on 27 peptides with high signal-to-noise ratios (>10) in extracted ion chromatograms (EIC).
Main Results:
- Identified 52 peptides in the tree shrew visual system, with 26 peptides, including GAV and neuropeptide K, reported for the first time in this system.
- Observed generally lower peptide abundance in the LGN compared to V1 and SC.
- Detected high abundance of specific peptides, such as neuropeptide Y and somatostatin 28 in V1, and somatostatin 28 AA1-12 in SC.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first in-depth characterization of peptides within the mammalian visual system.
- The findings highlight regional differences in peptide distribution within the visual pathway.
- This comprehensive neuropeptide catalog enables future investigations into neuropeptide roles in visual perception.
