Neuromedin U (NMU): Brain Peptide

Jethwa, Preeti H.; Small, Caroline J.; Bloom, Stephen R.

Abstract

Neuromedin U (NMU) is one of the most abundant neuropeptides and has been found in significant concentrations in both the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the central nervous system (CNS). There are two molecular forms of NMU; an icosapentapeptide (NMU-25) and an octapeptide (NMU-8) identical to the C-terminal of NMU-25. Both forms are biologically active, stimulating contraction of rat uterus in vitro and causing potent vasoconstriction in rats and dogs. The human NMU is an icosapentapeptide and has no internal dibasic cleavage site for the generation of a shorter version. The comparison of human and rat cDNA encoding NMU revealed approximately 70% homology between the two species suggesting that NMU is synthesized from a 174-aminoacid precursor containing the NMU peptide within the C-terminus Within the CNS NMU cell bodies are found in the rostrocaudal part of the arcuate nucleus (Arc) of the hypothalamus with more widespread distribution of NMU fibers in the nucleus accumbens, medial thalamus, and brainstem, and in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), entromedial nucleus, and dorsomedial nucleus, areas where the NMU2 receptor is expressed. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

• Online Publication Date: Oct 16, 2007
• Publication Date: 2006
• Deposit Date: Jun 25, 2021
• Journal: Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides
• Pages: 745-751
• Book Title: Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides
• Chapter Number: 103
• ISBN: 9780123694423
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012369442-3/50106-9
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3158475
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123694423501069?via%3Dihub