Structural diversity and evolutionary dynamics of the neuropeptide Y receptor Y8b across various teleosts

The Neuropeptide Y receptor Y8b plays a crucial role in regulating physiological processes in teleosts, yet its structural evolution remains underexplored. This study performed a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the Y8b receptor across 15 representative teleost species. Multiple sequence alignment revealed high conservation in core regions, underscoring the functional criticality of Y8b, while significant divergence in the N- and C-termini suggested species-specific adaptations. Secondary structure prediction highlighted variations in α-helix and β-sheet composition, potentially influencing conformational dynamics. Furthermore, 3D modeling and RMSD analysis demonstrated strict maintenance of the tertiary fold (RMSD <2.0 Å) even among distantly related orders. Phylogenetic analysis largely mirrored taxonomic classification but identified unique divergence in Oreochromis niloticus, implying distinct evolutionary trajectories. Collectively, these findings elucidate a conserved core, variable termini architecture for Y8b, providing a structural framework for understanding its functional diversification and ligand-binding mechanisms in aquatic vertebrates.