Title:Neuromedin U and Structural Analogs: An Overview of their Structure, Function and Selectivity
Volume: 27
Issue: 39
Author(s): An De Prins, Ann Van Eeckhaut*, Ilse Smolders*, Dirk Tourwé and Steven Ballet*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels,Belgium
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels,Belgium
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels,Belgium
Keywords:
Neuromedin U, neuromedin U receptor 1, neuromedin U receptor 2, agonist, antagonist, analog,
peptidomimetic.
Abstract: The neuromedin U peptide sequence is highly conserved between various species. Neuromedin
U is involved in a variety of physiological processes. It exerts its effects via two neuromedin
U receptors, NMUR1 and NMUR2. These receptors are characterized by a distinct, yet
complementary, tissue distribution with NMUR1 mostly found in the periphery, while NMUR2 is
most abundant in the central nervous system. The capability of the neuropeptide to reduce food intake
in rodents triggered the design and synthesis of a broad range of modified peptide ligands. The
purpose of these ligands is to develop novel therapeutics which could be beneficial in the treatment
of obesity and diabetes. Most compounds are derived either from the full-length neuromedin U sequence
or are based on the truncated orthologs of this neuropeptide. Only a few non-peptidic ligands
were developed. This review provides an overview on various neuromedin U analogs and mimetics
that have been reported to date.