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Applied Sciences
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Advances in Neuropeptide Biology
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Advances in Neuropeptide Biology

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2022) | Viewed by 15592

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Grazia Maugeri

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: neuroanatomy; neuromorphology; molecular biology; diabetic retinopathy; neurodegenerative disease; neuropetides
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Velia D'Agata

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: neuroscience; neurodegeneration; molecular biology; peptides
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neuropeptides represent one of the most diverse classes of signaling molecules and have attracted a growing interest over the years. Through binding to their specific receptors, neuropeptide exert a role as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, growth factors or hormones and are involved in the regulation of a wide variety of physiological processes. Interestingly, their altered expression in the brain and other peripheral organs can contribute to different diseases.

Advances in our understanding of mechanisms of regulation and action of neuropeptides have provided insights into different physiological and/or pathological processes.

This Special Issue welcomes submissions presented in the form of original and review articles relating biological, biochemical, molecular, genomic, proteomic, as well as clinical studies focused on neuropeptides that will contribute to providing an interdisciplinary overview of this fascinating line of research.

Dr. Grazia Maugeri
Prof. Dr. Velia D'Agata
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neuropeptides
  • biology
  • neurotransmitters
  • pathological processes

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 173 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial of Special Issue “Advances in Neuropeptide Biology”
by Grazia Maugeri and Velia D’Agata
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(24), 12559; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app122412559 - 08 Dec 2022
Viewed by 623
Abstract
This editorial aims to summarize the contents of the six scientific papers included in the Special Issue “Advances in Neuropeptide Biology” [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neuropeptide Biology)

Research

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11 pages, 3057 KiB  
Article
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Protects Corneal Epithelial Cells against UV-B-Induced Apoptosis via ROS/JNK Pathway Inhibition
by Grazia Maugeri, Agata Grazia D’Amico, Benedetta Magrì, Elisabetta Pricoco, Cesarina Giallongo, Giuseppe Musumeci, Claudio Bucolo, Salvatore Giunta and Velia D’Agata
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(7), 3435; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12073435 - 28 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1692
Abstract
PACAP is widely expressed throughout the body. It exerts a beneficial role in the eye, including the cornea. The corneal epithelium is regularly exposed to diverse types of insults, including ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation. Previously, we showed the protective role played by PACAP [...] Read more.
PACAP is widely expressed throughout the body. It exerts a beneficial role in the eye, including the cornea. The corneal epithelium is regularly exposed to diverse types of insults, including ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation. Previously, we showed the protective role played by PACAP in counteracting UV-B ray insults in human corneal endothelial cells; however, its involvement in corneal epithelium protection against ROS induced by UV-B radiation, and the underlying mechanisms, remain to be determined. Here, we demonstrated that the peptide treatment reduced UV-B-induced ROS generation by playing an anti-apoptotic role via JNK-signaling pathway inhibition. Overall, our results can provide guidance in the therapeutic use of PACAP for the treatment of epithelial corneal damage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neuropeptide Biology)
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14 pages, 2623 KiB  
Article
Doxycycline and Minocycline Act as Positive Allosteric Modulators of the PAC1 Receptor and Induce Plasminogen Activators in RT4 Schwann Cells
by Sarah Thomas Broome, Giuseppe Musumeci and Alessandro Castorina
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7673; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11167673 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2260
Abstract
Regeneration of peripheral nerves depends on the ability of axons to navigate through an altered extracellular environment. It has been suggested that Schwann cells facilitate this process through their secretion of neuropeptides and proteases. Using the RT4-D6P2T Schwann cell line (RT4), we have [...] Read more.
Regeneration of peripheral nerves depends on the ability of axons to navigate through an altered extracellular environment. It has been suggested that Schwann cells facilitate this process through their secretion of neuropeptides and proteases. Using the RT4-D6P2T Schwann cell line (RT4), we have previously shown that RT4 cultures endogenously express the neuropeptide PACAP, and respond to exogenous stimulation by inducing the expression of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) via PAC1 receptor activation. In this study, based on recent findings showing that doxycycline and minocycline act as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the PAC1 receptor, we tested if treatment with these tetracyclines induced the expression and activity of tPA and uPA in RT4 cells. Using ELISA and zymographic analyses, we demonstrate that doxycycline and minocycline reliably induce the secretion and activity of both tPA and uPA, which is paralleled by increased expression levels, as shown by immunocytochemistry and Western blots. These actions were mediated, at least in part, by the PAC1 receptor, as PACAP6-38 mitigated tetracycline-induced expression and activity of tPA and uPA. We conclude that doxycycline and minocycline act as PAMs of the PAC1 receptor to promote proteolytic activity in RT4 cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neuropeptide Biology)
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13 pages, 2134 KiB  
Article
Presence of Systemic Amyloidosis in Mice with Partial Deficiency in Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) in Aging
by Jason Sparks, Adel Jungling, Gabriella Kiss, Laszlo Hiripi, Daniel Pham, Andrea Tamas, Orsolya Hoffmann, Sebastian Bardosi, Attila Miseta and Dora Reglodi
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7373; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11167373 - 11 Aug 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2163
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a neuropeptide with widespread expression and general cytoprotective effects, is also involved in aging. Previously, we observed accelerated systemic senile amyloidosis in PACAP knockout (KO) mice. As mice partially lacking PACAP (heterozygous-HZ) show variable symptoms, here we investigated [...] Read more.
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a neuropeptide with widespread expression and general cytoprotective effects, is also involved in aging. Previously, we observed accelerated systemic senile amyloidosis in PACAP knockout (KO) mice. As mice partially lacking PACAP (heterozygous-HZ) show variable symptoms, here we investigated whether HZ mice have accelerated aging, completed with observations in PAC1 receptor KO mice. As we have limited data on qualitative or quantitative changes in the blood of PACAP-deficient mice, we investigated whether these changes could be in the background of the amyloidosis. Routine histological staining was used to examine amyloid deposits, rated on a severity scale 0–3. Blood was collected from PACAP wild type/HZ mice for complete blood analysis. In contrast to receptor KO mice showing no amyloidosis, histopathological analysis revealed severe deposits in PACAP HZ mice, with kidney, spleen, skin, and intestines being most affected. Increased cholesterol, lipoprotein levels, and differences in several blood count parameters were found in HZ mice. In summary, amyloidosis also develops in partial absence of PACAP, in contrast to the lack of its PAC1 receptor. In addition to the earlier identified inflammatory and degenerative disturbances, the alteration in lipid metabolism and bone marrow activity can also be additional factors leading to systemic degenerative processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neuropeptide Biology)
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Review

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20 pages, 2953 KiB  
Review
An Insight into Neuropeptides Inhibitors in the Biology of Colorectal Cancer: Opportunity and Translational Perspectives
by Ankit Srivastava, Deeksha Rikhari, Biswajita Pradhan, Kaushik Kumar Bharadwaj, Antonio Gaballo, Alessandra Quarta, Mrutyunjay Jena, Sameer Srivastava and Andrea Ragusa
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(18), 8990; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12188990 - 07 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2576
Abstract
Neuropeptides are mainly secreted from the human central and peripheral nervous systems. Neuropeptides bind to its cognate rhodopsin-like G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and perform various physiological functions. Conventional cancer treatments in clinical practice still present many drawbacks due to the lack of selectivity [...] Read more.
Neuropeptides are mainly secreted from the human central and peripheral nervous systems. Neuropeptides bind to its cognate rhodopsin-like G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and perform various physiological functions. Conventional cancer treatments in clinical practice still present many drawbacks due to the lack of selectivity toward the target cell, drug-resistance, and side-effects, thus pushing for the development of new therapeutic agents and therapies. Recent research suggests that neuropeptides influence cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis and, therefore, they could be exploited as a target for novel anticancer therapies. Very recently, targeted approaches that inhibit neuropeptides and their associated receptors are being developed in cancer treatment. This review focuses on various neuropeptides and their potential utility as drug targets by different inhibitors as a recently identified approach to cancer prevention, with particular emphasis on colorectal cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neuropeptide Biology)
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11 pages, 1355 KiB  
Review
A Broad Overview on Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Role in the Eye: Focus on Its Repairing Effect in Cornea
by Grazia Maugeri, Agata Grazia D’Amico and Velia D’Agata
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(2), 760; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12020760 - 12 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2160
Abstract
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with widespread distribution throughout the central and peripheral nervous system as well as in many other peripheral organs. It plays cytoprotective effects mediated mainly through the activation of specific receptors. PACAP is known to play [...] Read more.
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with widespread distribution throughout the central and peripheral nervous system as well as in many other peripheral organs. It plays cytoprotective effects mediated mainly through the activation of specific receptors. PACAP is known to play pleiotropic effects on the eye, including the cornea, protecting it against different types of insult. This review firstly provides an overview of the anatomy of the cornea and summarizes data present in literature about PACAP’s role in the eye and, in particular, in the cornea, either in physiological or pathological conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neuropeptide Biology)
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25 pages, 1590 KiB  
Review
Involvement of the Orexinergic System in Feeding
by Pilar Marcos and Rafael Coveñas
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(1), 86; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12010086 - 22 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3150
Abstract
To know the processes involved in feeding, the dysregulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides promoting anorexigenic/orexigenic mechanisms must be investigated. Many neuropeptides are involved in this behavior and in overweight/obesity. Current pharmacological strategies for the treatment of obesity are unfortunately not very effective and, hence, [...] Read more.
To know the processes involved in feeding, the dysregulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides promoting anorexigenic/orexigenic mechanisms must be investigated. Many neuropeptides are involved in this behavior and in overweight/obesity. Current pharmacological strategies for the treatment of obesity are unfortunately not very effective and, hence, new therapeutic strategies must be investigated and developed. Due to the crucial role played by orexins in feeding behavior, the aim of this review is to update the involvement of the orexinergic system in this behavior. The studies performed in experimental animal models and humans and the relationships between the orexinergic system and other substances are mentioned and discussed. Promising research lines on the orexinergic system are highlighted (signaling pathways, heterogeneity of the hypothalamic orexinergic neurons, receptor-receptor interaction, and sex differences). Each of the orexin 1 and 2 receptors plays a unique role in energy metabolism, exerting a differential function in obesity. Additional preclinical/clinical studies must be carried out to demonstrate the beneficial effects mediated by orexin receptor antagonists. Because therapies applied are in general ineffective when they are directed against a single target, the best option for successful anti-obesity treatments is the development of combination therapies as well as the development of new and more specific orexin receptor antagonists. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neuropeptide Biology)
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