Biochemistry

Lenka Maletínská

Prolactin-releasing peptide (PrPR) is a newly discovered strongly anorexigenic neuropeptide. Its peptide character makes it subjects of fast degradation, and complicates its delivery to the brain, necessary for its exclusively central effect. This project aims to evaluate stable PrRP analogs modified with fatty acids that would prolong its half-life in the blood and enable to cross the blood brain barrier. PrRP analogues will be subjected to binding and functional tests with receptors in cell lines in order to select potent agonists that will be tested in mice and rats for short-term effects on food intake, and in a long term in model of rodents with metabolic syndrome (e.g. spontaneously hypertensive rats fed with high fat diet). In parallel, acute and chronic effects of PrRP analogs on blood pressure and major vasoactive systems will be tested in conscious rats. PrRP relationship to other peptides involved in food intake regulation will be also studied. Lipidization of PrRP might be a simple and effective way to deliver peripherally the peptide acting centrally and having a potential for treatment of metabolic syndrome.


Key words:
Neuropeptides, blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, food intake regulation, model of obesity and hypertension