News Excerpt:

Researchers have developed and characterized a series of highly selective and sensitive GPCR activation-based sensors (GRABs) for detecting several neuropeptides.

About Neuropeptides:

• Neuropeptides are small chains of amino acids that play vital roles in the endocrine and nervous systems.
• Neuropeptides are important signaling molecules in the brain that control several vital physiological processes, including metabolism, circadian rhythm, digestion, sleep, and higher-order cognitive activities.
• This makes neuropeptide signaling, which is mostly controlled by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), an important target for medications treating a variety of illnesses and ailments, including diabetes, obesity, chronic pain, and sleeplessness.
• There are various neuropeptides:
  • Somatostatin (SST) 
  • Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)
  • Cholecystokinin (CCK)
  • Neuropeptide Y (NPY) 
  • Neurotensin (NTS) 
  • Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP).