Neuropeptides and pharmacology

Abstract

The aim of the article is to briefly describe our work together with Dr. Viktor Mutt. He discovered and purified many new gastrointestinal bioactive neuropeptides that have important applications as therapeutic agents in diabetes, epilepsy, migraine and weight control. Dr. Mutt’s strategy was to search for C­-terminally amidated peptides. We determined neuropeptide Y equilibrium binding for its receptor. Our work also included the L­-Ala scan of pharmacophores of the neuropeptide galanin (1­28). Finally, the work led to the establishment of the coexistence of peptides with small molecule neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, acetylcholine, noradrenaline and dopamine in central and peripheral neurons.

Keywords

• neuropharmacology
• neuropeptides
• transmitter coexistence