| Primary Identifier | IPR013298 | Type | Family |
| Short Name | Neuropept_B_pre |
| description | Two closely related neuropeptide precursors, which share no significant sequence similarity with other known neuropeptides, have recently been identified and named preproneuropeptide B and preproneuropeptide W [, , ]. In humans, each precursor contains a signal sequence and two dibasic cleavage sites. Alternative cleavage of these sites results in long (29 or 30 amino acid) and short (23 amino acid) forms of the resultant neuropeptides [, ]. Murine, rat and bovine versions of preproneuropeptide B, however, contain only the second cleavage site, resulting in only the long form of neuropeptide B [, ]. Neuropeptide B is expressed in both the central nervous system (CNS) and in the periphery. In the CNS, highest levels of the peptide are found in the substantia nigra and hypothalamus, suggesting a possible role in locomotor control and the release of pituitary hormones []. In the periphery, the peptide is most abundant in testis, ovary, uterus, placenta, spleen, lymph nodes and peripheral blood leukocytes, indicating potential roles in the reproductive and immune systems []. Unusually, neuropeptide B purified from bovine hypothalamus was found to be brominated at its N terminus []. This entry represents the neuropeptide B precursor. |
