Identification of 26RFa from Frog Brain: A Novel Hypothalamic Neuropeptide with Orexigenic Activity in Mammals

Nicolas Chartrel (1) , Federica Bruzzone , Cynthia Dujardin , Jérôme Leprince (2, 3, 1) , Helene Tollemer , Youssef Anouar (3) , Mauro Vallarino , Jean Costentin (4) , Hubert Vaudry (2)

1 DC2N - Différenciation et communication neuronale et neuroendocrine
2 Neuroendocrinologie cellulaire et moléculaire
3 DC2N - Différenciation et communication neuronale et neuroendocrine
4 Neuropsycho-pharmacologie expérimentale

In the present study, we report the identification, in the frog brain, of a novel neuropeptide, termed 26RFa, that belongs to the RFamide peptide family. The cDNAs encoding the precursors for 26RFa have been characterized in human and rats. In rats, prepro-26RFa mRNA is expressed exclusively in two hypothalamic nuclei involved in the control of feeding behavior. Intracerebroventricular injection of 26RFa in mice induced a dose-dependent increase in food consumption. Taken together, these data indicate that 26RFa is a novel neuropeptide that may have important biological functions in vertebrates.

Domains: Chemical Sciences; Medicinal Chemistry; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Cellular Biology; Cell Behavior [q-bio.CB]; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]; Neurobiology; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Pharmaceutical sciences; Pharmacology

Nicolas Chartrel, Federica Bruzzone, Cynthia Dujardin, Jérôme Leprince, Helene Tollemer, et al.. Identification of 26RFa from Frog Brain: A Novel Hypothalamic Neuropeptide with Orexigenic Activity in Mammals. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2005, 1040 (1), pp.80-83. ⟨10.1196/annals.1327.009⟩. ⟨hal-01960805⟩