Neuropeptide S

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a is_associated_with::neuropeptide found in human and mammalian is_associated_with::brain, mainly produced by neurons in the is_associated_with::amygdala and between Barrington's nucleus and the is_associated_with::locus coeruleus, although NPS-responsive neurons extend projections into many other brain areas. NPS binds specifically to a newly de-orphaned is_associated_with::G protein-coupled receptor, NPSR. Animal studies show that NPS suppresses is_associated_with::anxiety and is_associated_with::appetite, induces is_associated_with::wakefulness and is_associated_with::hyperactivity, including hyper-sexuality, and plays a significant role in the extinction of conditioned fear. It has also been shown to significantly enhance is_associated_with::dopamine activity in the is_associated_with::mesolimbic pathway.

Synthetic ligands
The non-peptide NPS receptor antagonist is_associated_with::SHA-68 blocks the effects of NPS in animals and is is_associated_with::anxiogenic. Several peptide derived NPS agonists and antagonists have also been developed.

Peptide sequence
Below are the sequences of mature neuropeptide S in several representative species in which it is expressed: