Abstract
Members of neuropeptide B/W signaling system have been predominantly detected and mapped within the CNS. In the rat, this system includes neuropeptide B (NPB), neuropeptide W (NPW) and their specific receptor NPBWR1. This signaling system has a wide spectrum of functions including a role in modulation of inflammatory pain and neuroendocrine functions. Expression of NPB, NPW and NPBWR1 in separate heart compartments, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and stellate ganglia was proven by RT-qPCR, Western blot (WB) and immunofluorescence. Presence of mRNA for all tested genes was detected within all heart compartments and ganglia. The presence of proteins preproNPB, preproNPW and NPBWR1 was confirmed in all the chambers of heart by WB. Expression of preproNPW and preproNPB was proven in cardiac ganglionic cells obtained by laser capture microdissection. In immunofluorescence analysis, NPB immunoreactivity was detected in nerve fibers, some nerve cell bodies and smooth muscle within heart and both ganglia. NPW immunoreactivity was present in the nerve cell bodies and nerve fibers of heart ganglia. Weak nonhomogenous staining of cardiomyocytes was present within heart ventricles. NPBWR1 immunoreactivity was detected on cardiomyocytes and some nerve fibers. We confirmed the presence of NPB/W signaling system in heart, DRG and stellate ganglia by proteomic and genomic analyses.
Highlights
Neuropeptide B (NPB) and neuropeptide W (NPW) are structurally and functionally related endogenous neuropeptides
Presence of mRNA for preproNPB, preproNPW and NPBWR1 was detected in all heart compartments, i.e., left atrium (LA), right atrium (RA), left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV), as well as in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and stellate ganglia
Statistical analysis of Cq values of studied genes within each separate heart compartment, DRG and stellate ganglia revealed that in the LA and RV, NPB and NPBWR1 mRNAs were expressed less than the gene for NPW
Summary
Neuropeptide B (NPB) and neuropeptide W (NPW) are structurally and functionally related endogenous neuropeptides. Only NPB29 has been described in nonhuman species. Two isoforms of NPW have been observed, NPW23 and NPW30, which are produced from a common precursor, preproNPW. Abundance of both NPW isoforms has been demonstrated in several species, including human, rat, mouse, pig and chicken. Biological activities of NPB and NPW are mediated by orphan G-protein-coupled receptors, GPR7 ( called NPBWR1) in humans, rats and mice and GPR8 (NPBWR2) in humans only. NPB and NPW together with these receptors constitute NPB/W signaling system [1]
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