Endocrine Abstracts

RFamides are a family of peptides containing arginine-phenylalanine-amide at their C terminus. A novel 43-amino acid RFamide, named QRFP43, and a shorter endogenous peptide 26RFa, were discovered and identified as ligands of the G protein-coupled receptor GPR103. Different studies have shown that RFamides, such as neuropeptide FF and QRFP43 and 26RFa, play a role in food intake, thermogenesis and energy homeostasis. Here, we investigated the effects of QRFP peptides on surviva...

Obestatin (Ob) is a peptide recently identified as a product of the ghrelin gene. It was claimed to bind to the orphan receptor GPR39, but this finding is still a matter of debate. Ob exerts peripheral effects, for example, it promotes cell survival and has antiapoptotic actions in different cell lines. In addition, Ob has central effects, such as inhibition of thirst, modulation of anxiety, sleep and mnemonic functions. Mnemonic processes involve neurogenesis; in particular, ...

Introduction: Hippocampus is a key area in the brain and influences the neuroendocrine functions, especially the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis that is mainly regulated by corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), vasopressin (ADH) and glucocorticoid (GC). This feed-back action is mediated by both glucocorticoid (GRs) and mineralocorticoid (MRs) receptors. GRs are distributed throughout the brain, but mostly in hypothalamic neurons, while the MRs highest expr...