Budhiraja S, Chugh A
Department of Pharmacology, Pt. B. D. Sharma, PGIMS, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India.
Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Apr;23(2):149-57. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2009.00667.x.
Neuromedin U (NmU), a multifunctional neuropeptide, belongs to a family of neuropeptides, the neuromedins. It is ubiquitously distributed with highest levels found in the gastrointestinal tract and pituitary. The conservation of structural elements of NmU across species, the widespread distribution of NmU and its receptors throughout the body point to a fundamental role in key physiological processes. Two G protein coupled receptors for NmU have been cloned NmU R1 and NmU R2. NmU R1 is expressed pre-dominantly in the periphery especially the gastrointestinal tract whereas NmU R2 is expressed pre-dominantly in the central nervous system. Current evidence suggests a role of NmU in pain, in regulation of feeding and energy homeostasis, stress, cancer, immune mediated inflammatory diseases like asthma, inflammatory diseases, maintaining the biological clock, in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract, and in the control of blood flow and blood pressure. With the development of drugs selectively acting on receptors and knockout animal models, exact pathophysiological roles of NmU will become clearer.
神经介素U（NmU）是一种多功能神经肽，属于神经介素家族的神经肽。它广泛分布，在胃肠道和垂体中含量最高。NmU的结构元件在物种间具有保守性，NmU及其受体在全身广泛分布，这表明其在关键生理过程中具有重要作用。已克隆出两种与NmU结合的G蛋白偶联受体，即NmU R1和NmU R2。NmU R1主要在外周表达，尤其是在胃肠道，而NmU R2主要在中枢神经系统表达。目前的证据表明，NmU在疼痛、进食和能量稳态调节、应激、癌症、免疫介导的炎症性疾病（如哮喘）、炎症性疾病、维持生物钟、胃肠道和泌尿生殖道平滑肌收缩调节以及血流和血压控制等方面发挥作用。随着选择性作用于受体的药物和基因敲除动物模型的发展，NmU的确切病理生理作用将变得更加清晰。
