Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology

Neuroanatomical characterization of the Nmu-Cre knock-in mice reveals an interconnected network of unique neuropeptidergic cells

The paper characterizes NMU-expressing neurons in the adult mouse brain using a Nmu-Cre knock-in model, revealing a midline modulatory circuit centered on the VMH.

Insula dynorphin and kappa opioid receptor systems regulate alcohol drinking in a sex-specific manner in mice

This study investigates how insula dynorphin and kappa opioid receptor systems influence alcohol drinking in mice, revealing sex-specific effects on consumption and behavior.

PACAP-mediated gating of anxiety-controlling circuits

This study shows PACAP modulates anxiety circuits by altering synaptic efficacy in BLA-ovBNST-adBNST pathways, leading to inhibition of adBNST and increased anxiety.

Opioid withdrawal abruptly disrupts amygdala circuit function by reducing peptide actions

The paper shows opioid withdrawal reduces peptide activity in the amygdala by increasing neprilysin via PKA, disrupting synaptic transmission and potentially leading to compulsive drug use.

Morphology and immunhistchemical characteristics of the otic ganglion in chinchilla (Chinchila laniger Molina).

This study examines the morphology and neurochemical properties of the otic ganglion in chinchillas, revealing interspecies differences in structure and immunohistochemical characteristics.

Opioid receptor architecture for the modulation of brainstem functions

The paper maps opioid receptor expression across brainstem circuits and identifies functional implications in respiratory and sensory pathways.

Expression of substance P, NPY and their Receptors Is Altered in Major Depression

The paper examines changes in substance P, NPY, and their receptors in major depression by analyzing transcript levels in brain regions of suicide victims and controls.

The Dynorphin/Kappa Opioid Receptor mediates adverse immunological and behavioral outcomes induced by repetitive blast trauma in male mice

This study shows that repetitive blast trauma in mice increases dynorphin and cytokines, which are reduced by a KOR antagonist, improving behavioral outcomes.

Neuroendocrinology of the lung revealed by single cell RNA sequencing

The paper uses single-cell RNA sequencing to identify and characterize neuropeptide and peptide hormone genes in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells from mice and humans, revealing their diverse signaling roles and potential endocrine functions.

Peptidergic modulation of motor neuron output via CART signaling at C bouton synapses

This study identifies CART and acetylcholine as modulators of motor neuron output at C bouton synapses, affecting movement vigour through distinct but parallel mechanisms.

System-wide mapping of neuropeptide-GPCR interactions in C. elegans

The paper reports a genome-wide map of neuropeptide-GPCR interactions in C. elegans, identifying 461 cognate peptide-GPCR pairs and uncovering their evolutionary conservation.

Organization of the corticotropin-releasing hormone and corticotropin-releasing hormone-binding protein systems in the central nervous system of the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus

This study maps the distribution of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and CRH-binding protein (CRHBP) systems in the sea lamprey brain across developmental stages.

Opioid Antagonism in Humans: A Primer on Optimal Dose and Timing for Central Mu-Opioid Receptor Blockade

The paper analyzes opioid receptor blockade using PET data and models to determine optimal doses and timing for naloxone and naltrexone in humans.

A new Oprm1-Cre mouse line enables detailed molecular characterization of μ-opioid receptor cell types

The paper develops a MOR-specific Cre mouse line to study opioid receptor cell types and their molecular characteristics during opioid withdrawal.

Characterization and mu opioid receptor sensitivity of neuropeptide Y interneurons in the nucleus accumbens

This study characterizes neuropeptide Y interneurons in the nucleus accumbens and shows they are sensitive to mu opioid receptor activation, with sex- and receptor-dependent effects on synaptic transmission.

Generation and validation of a CRF1:Cre transgenic rat: The role of central amygdala CRF1 in nociception and anxiety-like behavior

The paper generates and validates a CRF1:Cre transgenic rat to study the role of CRF1-expressing neurons in anxiety and nociception, finding that activation of these cells increases anxiety-like behavior and pain responses.

Functional characterization of a neuropeptide receptor exogenously expressed in Aplysia neurons

This study functionally characterizes a neuropeptide receptor in Aplysia neurons by expressing it exogenously and demonstrating its role in modulating neuronal excitability.

HIF-dependent Neuropeptide Y Receptor Y1 and Y5 expression sensitizes hypoxic cells to NPY stimulation

This study shows hypoxia increases NPY1R and NPY5R expression via HIFs in breast cancer cells, making them more responsive to NPY stimulation and enhancing proliferation and migration.

Alcohol Drinking Alters Stress Response to Predator Odor via Extended Amygdala Kappa Opioid Receptor Signaling in Male Mice

The paper was retracted due to errors in methods and data reporting, making the results and conclusions unreliable.

Relationship between constitutive and acute gene regulation, and physiological and behavioral responses, mediated by the neuropeptide PACAP

The paper identifies constitutive and acute transcriptomic effects of PACAP deficiency in mice, revealing distinct mechanisms of neuropeptide action on physiological and behavioral responses.

Release of endogenous dynorphin opioids in the prefrontal cortex disrupts cognition

This study shows that dynorphin release in the prefrontal cortex during opioid withdrawal disrupts cognition, and KOR antagonism can block these effects.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme governs endogenous opioid signaling and synaptic plasticity in nucleus accumbens

This study shows that ACE inhibition enhances endogenous opioid signaling and reduces fentanyl-induced conditioned place preference in mice.

PEN receptor GPR83 in anxiety-like behaviors: differential regulation in global vs amygdalar knockdown

This study examines the role of GPR83 in anxiety-like behaviors through global and regional knockdown in male and female mice, revealing sex-dependent and brain region-specific effects.

A midbrain dynorphin circuit promotes threat generalization

The paper identifies KOR/Dyn signaling in the midbrain as promoting threat generalization, showing an inverted U relationship between threat intensity and discrimination.

Peptidergic modulation of fear responses by the Edinger-Westphal nucleus

This study identifies the Edinger-Westphal nucleus in mice as an obligately peptidergic population that modulates fear responses and analgesia.

A Promising Chemical Series of Positive Allosteric Modulators of the μ-Opioid Receptor that Enhance the Antinociceptive Efficacy of Opioids but not their Adverse Effects

The paper characterizes two MOR PAMs that enhance opioid antinociception without increasing adverse effects in mouse models.

Co-released Norepinephrine and Galanin Act on Different Timescales to Promote Stress-Induced Anxiety-Like Behavior

This study investigates the distinct roles of norepinephrine and galanin in stress-induced anxiety-like behavior using genetic and pharmacological approaches in mice.

Cell-type specific expression and behavioral impact of galanin and GalR1 in the locus coeruleus during opioid withdrawal

This study investigates the role of galanin and GalR1 in the locus coeruleus during opioid withdrawal using in situ hybridization and genetic models, finding no significant behavioral impact of NE-Gal on withdrawal symptoms.

Parabrachial Opioidergic Projections to Preoptic Hypothalamus Mediate Behavioral and Physiological Thermal Defenses

The paper identifies PBN neurons expressing Dyn, Enk, and VGLUT2 that project to the POA and are critical for heat defense behaviors and physiology.

Moderate adolescent chronic intermittent ethanol exposure sex-dependently disrupts synaptic transmission and kappa opioid receptor function in the basolateral amygdala of adult rats

This study shows that moderate adolescent ethanol exposure causes long-term sex-dependent changes in BLA physiology and KOR function in adult rats.