Role of neuropeptide FF in central cardiovascular and neuroendocrine regulation.

Jack H Jhamandas,Valeri Goncharuk

doi:10.3389/fendo.2013.00008

Abstract

Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) is an octapeptide belonging to the RFamide family of peptides that have been implicated in a wide variety of physiological functions in the brain including central cardiovascular and neuroendocrine regulation. The effects of these peptides are mediated via NPFF1 and NPFF2 receptors that are abundantly expressed in the rat and human brain. Herein, we review evidence for the role of NPFF in central regulation of blood pressure particularly within the brainstem and the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). At a cellular level, NPFF demonstrates distinct responses in magnocellular and parvocellular neurons of the PVN, which regulate the secretion of neurohypophyseal hormones and sympathetic outflow, respectively. Finally, the presence of NPFF system in the human brain and its alterations within the hypertensive brain are discussed.

Highlights

An understanding of the mechanisms that regulate arterial blood pressure under physiological conditions and in the context of pathophysiological situations such as hypertension represents a major challenge
CHARACTERISTICS AND TISSUE DISTRIBUTION Neuropeptide FF (Phe-Leu-Phe-Gln-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe-NH2) is an important member of the RFamide peptide family that is present in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the periphery of several mammalian species including humans
We have identified significant numbers of Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) fibers, NPFF1, and NPFF2 receptors in the human parvocellular paraventricular nucleus (PVN)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

An understanding of the mechanisms that regulate arterial blood pressure under physiological conditions and in the context of pathophysiological situations such as hypertension represents a major challenge. Since many bioactive peptides have been isolated from invertebrates and vertebrates, and the extended family of peptides terminating in a penultimate Arg and an amidated Phe residue at the C-terminus (RFamide) exists in all phyla (Yang et al, 1985). These peptides are designated as FMRFamide related peptides (FaRPs) and collectively referred to as RFamide peptides. Members of the RFRP family (RFRP-1 and RFRP3) have been recently identified as mammalian orthologs of the avian gonadotropin inhibitory hormone and administration of the selective NPFF receptor antagonist results in potent secretion of gonadotropins that is presumed to be mediated via the NPFF1 www.frontiersin.org

Jhamandas and Goncharuk

NEUROPEPTIDE FF

CONCLUSION