Institute of Physiology, Medical School, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H7624 Pécs, Hungary.
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, H1094 Budapest, Hungary.
Cells. 2024 Jun 25;13(13):1097. doi: 10.3390/cells13131097.
The RFamide peptide family is a group of proteins that share a common C-terminal arginine-phenylalanine-amide motif. To date, the family comprises five groups in mammals: neuropeptide FF, LPXRFamides/RFamide-related peptides, prolactin releasing peptide, QRFP, and kisspeptins. Different RFamide peptides have their own cognate receptors and are produced by different cell populations, although they all can also bind to neuropeptide FF receptors with different affinities. RFamide peptides function in the brain as neuropeptides regulating key aspects of homeostasis such as energy balance, reproduction, and cardiovascular function. Furthermore, they are involved in the organization of the stress response including modulation of pain. Considering the interaction between stress and various parameters of homeostasis, the role of RFamide peptides may be critical in the development of stress-related neuropathologies. This review will therefore focus on the role of RFamide peptides as possible key hubs in stress and stress-related psychopathologies. The neurotransmitter coexpression profile of RFamide-producing cells is also discussed, highlighting its potential functional significance. The development of novel pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of stress-related disorders is an ongoing need. Thus, the importance of RFamide research is underlined by the emergence of peptidergic and G-protein coupled receptor-based therapeutic targets in the pharmaceutical industry.
RFamide 肽家族是一组具有共同 C 末端精氨酸-苯丙氨酸-酰胺基序的蛋白质。迄今为止，该家族在哺乳动物中包括五个亚组：神经肽 FF、LPXRFamides/RFamide 相关肽、促乳素释放肽、QRFP 和 kisspeptins。不同的 RFamide 肽具有各自的同源受体，由不同的细胞群产生，尽管它们都可以以不同的亲和力与神经肽 FF 受体结合。RFamide 肽在大脑中作为神经肽发挥作用，调节能量平衡、生殖和心血管功能等重要的体内平衡方面。此外，它们还参与应激反应的组织，包括疼痛的调节。考虑到应激和各种体内平衡参数之间的相互作用，RFamide 肽的作用可能在应激相关神经病理学的发展中至关重要。因此，本文将重点介绍 RFamide 肽作为应激和应激相关精神病理学中可能的关键枢纽的作用。还讨论了产生 RFamide 肽的细胞的神经递质共表达谱，突出了其潜在的功能意义。因此，新型治疗应激相关疾病的药物制剂的开发是一种持续的需求。因此，RFamide 研究的重要性体现在制药行业中出现了肽类和 G 蛋白偶联受体为基础的治疗靶点。
