Xenopsin Research Articles

A novel role for xenopsin: Stimulation of food intake

Xenopsin (XPN), an extract from frog skin, is comprised of 80 amino acids and exerts effects on the mammalian digestive tract. The purpose of the study presented here was to determine if XPN would affect food intake using chicks as models. Chicks which had been fasted for 180min did not change food or water intake after central injection of XPN. However, ab libitum fed chicks which received 1 and 3nmol central XPN increased food intake while water intake was not affected. When the dose was increased to 9nmol chicks did not increase food intake but their water intake was reduced suggesting malaise. Chicks injected with XPN had increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the lateral hypothalamus, but other hypothalamic appetite-associated nuclei were not affected. When XPN was directly injected into the lateral hypothalamus food intake was increased, suggesting a primary site of action. When the expression of appetite-associated neuropeptide mRNA was quantified chicks injected with XPN had increased proopiomelanocortin mRNA. Lastly, a comprehensive behavior analysis was performed and while XPN injected chicks had an increase in the number of feeding pecks, jumping, preening, deep rest and sitting were all decreased. Thus, we conclude that exogenous XPN functions as an orexigenic factor in chicks and its effects are mediated by the lateral hypothalamus.

Adsorption mode of neurotensin family peptides onto a colloidal silver surface: SERS studies

Kinetensin (KN) and its amino acids 1–8 fragment ([des‐Leu9]KN), neuromedin N (NMN), and xenopsin (XP) and its two analogs (human XP‐1/xenin‐8 and XP‐2) belong to the neurotensin family of peptides and are known to stimulate the growth of human tumors. In this work, we report surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies of these peptides and discuss their structures, orientation, and mode of adsorption onto a colloidal assembly of apparently randomly adhering Ag spheres with diameters of approximately 20 – 25 nm. We show that small alternations in both the amino acid composition and tertiary structure, which induce striking biological in vitro, were responsible for the observed spectroscopic changes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Adsorption of neurotensin‐family peptides on SERS‐active Ag substrates

Kinetensin (KN) and its amino acids 1–8 fragment ([des‐Leu9]KN), neuromedin N (NMN), and xenopsin (XP) and its two analogs (XP‐1 and XP‐2) belong to the neurotensin family of peptides and are known to stimulate the growth of human tumors. In this work, we report Fourier transform‐Raman and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies of these peptides and discuss their structures, orientation, and mode of adsorption onto a highly specific, electrochemically roughened SERS‐active Ag electrode that is characterized by the formation of a 50–150 nm Ag island on its surface. We show that the investigated peptides bind preferentially to this surface by substantial electronic overlap between the metal surface and the π‐orbitals of the benzene rings of the Phe, Tyr, and Trp residues, which forces them to take parallel or almost parallel orientations with respect to the surface. In addition, the –CH2–, –CNH2, and –COO‐ molecular fragments are involved in interactions with (binding to or in close proximity with) the Ag surface. The SERS data show that the adsorption modes in each of these cases are very similar. In addition, we show that the specific differences in the amino acid sequences do not significantly affect the orientation of the investigated peptides on the Ag substrate. This result implies that the N‐termini of the neurotensin‐family peptides do not influence the mode for adsorption onto the Ag substrates. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Potencies of various neurotensin-(8–13) analogs for inhibition of heat-induced edema in the anesthetized rat

Peptides of the neurotensin (NT) and xenopsin (XP) families inhibit vascular leakage in various models of tissue injury. In this study, we measured the potency of NT fragments, NT analogs and NT-(8–13) analogs for inhibition of thermal edema induced by immersion of the anesthetized rat's paw in 58°C water for 1 min. The pattern of anti-edema potencies seen with sixteen NT-(8–13) analogs correlated well with the pattern of activities obtained in binding measurements to rat brain membrane preparations and to activities in isolated organ preparations. Replacement of Tyr 11 with Trp in NT-(8–13) and Arg 8 with d-Arg resulted in an analog [ d-Arg 8, Trp 11]NT-(8–13) which was 5-times more potent than NT-(8–13). Substitution of d-Arg for Arg 8 and Arg 9 in NT-(8–13) produced analogs that retained anti-edema activity but with decreased effects on gut motility and hypotension.

Immunocytochemical and radioimmunometrical demonstration of serotonin- and neuropeptide-immunoreactivities in the adult rat tapeworm,Hymenolepis diminuta(Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea)

Standard indirect immunocytochemical techniques have been interfaced with confocal scanning laser microscopy (for whole-mount preparations) and epifluorescence microscopy (for cryosections) to investigate the occurrence and distribution of serotoninergic and peptidergic nerve elements in adult H. diminuta. Serotonin (5-HT)-immunoreactivity (IR) was widespread throughout the worm, occurring in the paired cerebral ganglia, transverse commissure, the 10 longitudinal nerve cords and in a plethora of small nerve fibres of the peripheral nervous system. An abundance of serotoninergic nerve cell bodies was found in association with the lateral nerve cords. The genital atrium and accessory reproductive ducts were richly innervated with serotoninergic nerve fibres. Thirty-five antisera to 20 vertebrate regulatory peptides and 1 invertebrate peptide (FMRFamide) were used to screen the worm for neuropeptide IR. Immunostaining was obtained with antisera raised to pancreatic polypeptide (PP), peptide YY (PYY), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), xenopsin (XP) and FMRFamide. The most extensive pattern of IR occurred with antisera to PP and PYY, IR being evident in the cerebral ganglia, transverse commissure, longitudinal nerve cords and in small nerve fibres that ramified throughout the parenchyma. A series of bipolar nerve cell bodies between the median nerve cords displayed PP/PYY-IR. The distribution of FMRFamide-IR was reminiscent of the PP/PYY pattern but was less extensive. Comparison of the serotoninergic and peptidergic nervous systems has revealed general similarities and some distinct differences, especially with regard to the distribution of immunoreactive nerve cell bodies. Quantitative data are presented on the levels of PP-, SP-, PHI-, and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)-immunoreactivities demonstrable in acid-alcohol extracts of whole worms. The highest level of peptide IR determined was recorded for PP.

Isolation and structures of xenopsin-related peptides from rat stomach, liver and brain

Using radioimmunoassay for detection, a mammalian counterpart to amphibian xenopsin (XP) was isolated and sequenced from pepsin-treated extracts of three different rat tissues and shown to be H-Phe-His-Pro-Lys-Arg-Pro-Trp-Ile-Leu-OH. This peptide, which shares six of the eight residues in XP, existed primarily in large molecular form(s) in the rat from which it could be liberated by the enzyme, pepsin. The XP-related sequence was differentially distributed through tissues, with concentrations ranging from ca. 80 pmol/g in diaphragm and skeletal muscle to ca. 800 pmol/g in stomach, liver and intestine. Like XP, the mammalian peptide potently crossreacted in a radioreceptor assay for neurotensin. These results prove the existence of radioreceptor-active XP-related sequences in multiple tissues of the rat.

Neurotensin-related peptides inhibit spontaneous longitudinal contractions of porcine distal jejunum

The tridecapeptide neurotensin (NT) and its C-terminal homologs, including xenopsin (XP) and neuromedin N (NM-N), reduced the amplitude of spontaneous contractions in longitudinal smooth muscle strips from the porcine distal jejunum in vitro. The rank order of potency (IC 50 in nM) was XP (0.1) > NT (0.9) ≈ avian XP (1.0) > NM-N (1.6), which could not be explained on the basis of differential peptide degradation. Tachyphylaxis and cross-tachyphylaxis were observed after repeated NT and XP addition to muscle strips. The action NT was mimicked by norepinephrine (NE), but not by opioid peptides, somatostatin, or vasoactive intestinal peptide. NE was nearly 100-fold less potent than NT and did not produce a state of tachyphylaxis to NT. The effects of NT and NE were unaltered by the neuronal conduction blocker tetrodotoxin (70 nM). However, the actions of NE, unlike those of NT, were reduced by the α-adrenoceptor blocker phentolamine (70 nM), the K +-channel blocker apamin (7 nM) and the Ca 2+-channel blocker verapamil (0.7 μM). These results suggest that NT and related peptides, through a nonadrenergic mechanism, interact with smooth muscle receptors to modulate jejunoileal motor function in the pig.

Exocrine secretion and processing of pro-xenopsin in rat gastric lumen

This study examines the effects of acid, acid secretagogues, and pepstatin on gastric luminal concentrations of xenopsin-like immunoreactivity (XPLI) by in situ luminal perfusion of the stomach in anesthetized rats. During perfusion with saline over a 2-h period, the concentration of XPLI fell in parallel with acid output. Levels of XPLI fell more rapidly when the saline contained 20 micrograms/ml pepstatin A and when phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.0) was used. These treatments did not, however, alter acid output. After a basal condition was established at 90 min, intravenous injection of carbachol, pentagastrin, or histamine stimulated acid and pepsin secretion and also led to an increase in XPLI concentration, which was pepstatin sensitive. Acid itself was also a stimulus for pepsin and XPLI output, which were correlated at various levels of acidity. Although pepstatin blocked the effect of acid on XPLI output, it did not lead to an accumulation of xenopsin (XP) precursor in the luminal fluid. However, the decrement in acid-stimulated XPLI output seen in the presence of pepstatin was matched by an increment in XP precursor associated with the mucosal surface. During high-pressure liquid chromatography, approximately 70% of the acid-generated XPLI eluted at the position of mammalian XP. These data support the notion that, during heightened acid output, XP is secreted by a pepsin-dependent process or generated by the action of pepsin on XP precursor present on the mucosal surface of the rat stomach.

Immunocytochemical evidence for the colocalization of neurotensin/xenopsin- and gastrin/caerulein-immunoreactive substances in Xenopus laevis gastrointestinal tract

Distribution and association of neurotensin (NT)- and xenopsin (XP)-like peptides were investigated using immunocytochemical techniques in the amphibian gut. Antisera against both groups of peptides showed an identical distribution pattern of NT- and XP-positive cells in Xenopus laevis gastrointestinal tract. Immunolabeling of consecutive semithin sections revealed the coexistence of NT- and XP-like substances within cells of the stomach and small intestine. Recent reports of the colocalization of XP-like material with gastrin in mammalian G cells led us to study the association of NT/XP-like peptides with members of the gastrin/cholecytokinin (CCK)/caerulein (G/C) family in amphibians. The data obtained from immunolabeling serial sections with NT/XP-specific and G/C-specific antisera show that in some intestine NT/XP- and G/C-like peptides do exist in the same cells. In the stomach, however, G/C-like material is confined to endocrine cells of the antral region, while NT/XP-like substances occur in distinct cells accumulating in cardial glands but absent in the pyloric glands. Our findings thus indicate that in amphibian gastrointestinal tract there is some association between the regulatory peptide families NT/XP and G/C, similar to mammals. The regional distribution of both hormone families, however, is different from that in mammals.

Evidence for the presence of xenopsin-related peptide(s) in the gastric mucosa of mammals.

Using immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay, substance(s) related to the amphibian octapeptide xenopsin (XP) were demonstrated in the gastric mucosa of humans and dogs. Immunohistochemistry localized XP-immunoreactive epithelial cells in the gastric antral mucosa. The reaction was abolished by preabsorption of the antiserum with XP but not by neurotensin or other peptides. Immunoreactive XP (iXP) was found by radioimmunoassay in extracts of both the antrum and body of the stomach prepared with acid/acetone or acetic acid. A study of its distribution in the dog indicated that the level of iXP was highest in the stomach, lower in the pancreas and duodenum, and not measurable in the jejunoileum and colon. Gel chromatography on Sephadex G-25 indicated the presence of at least two forms of iXP, one larger and the other about the same size as XP. Reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography on mu-Bondapak C-18 yielded several peaks of iXP, one of which eluted at the position of synthetic XP. The results of immunochemical analyses using four different antisera towards XP were consistent with structures for canine iXPs that were closely related to XP only in their C-terminal regions. These results suggest that mammalian counterparts to amphibian XP reside within endocrine cells of the gastric mucosa. It seems possible that these peptides function as gastrointestinal signals.

Amphibian neurotensin (NT) is not xenopsin (XP): dual presence of NT-like and XP-like peptides in various amphibia.

To clarify whether xenopsin (XP) is the amphibian counterpart of mammalian neurotensin (NT), extracts of skin, brain, and intestine from representative amphibians were subjected to immunochemical, chromatographic, and biological analyses. The results indicated the dual presence of NT- and XP-like peptides in extracts of tissues from Xenopus laevis, Rana catesbeiana, Rana pipiens, Bufo marinus, Bufo americanus, and Necturus maculosus, which were separated during gel chromatography on Sephadex G-25 and high pressure liquid chromatography on mu-Bondapak C-18. Immunochemical studies, employing three different region-specific antisera toward NT (ox and man) and one antiserum towards XP (Xenopus laevis), indicated that the NT-like peptides shared COOH-terminal homologies with NT and differed at their NH2-termini. TWo classes of NT-like peptides could be distinguished on the basis of their distributions in tissues and their cross-reactivities with the antisera; immunoreactive NT measured using antiserum HC-8 tended to be found primarily in brain and intestine, whereas that reactive with antiserum PGL-4 was most concentrated in stomach, liver, and pancreas. Although also present in brain and intestine, immunoreactive XP was highest in stomach, pancreas, and skin. Partially purified immunoreactive NT and XP obtained from gastrointestinal tissues of Xenopus laevis and Bufo marinus were shown to increase the hematocrit and induce cyanosis in anesthesized rats. These findings indicate the presence of both NT- and XP-like peptides in neural and gastrointestinal tissues from several amphibia and suggest the possibility that XP-like peptides (apart from NT) may exist in other animals.