Comparison of pharmacological activities of Neuropeptide FF1 and Neuropeptide FF2 receptor agonists.

ABSTRACT

The pharmacological effects of Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) analogs exhibiting different selectivities towards Neuropeptide FF1 (NPFF1) and Neuropeptide FF2 (NPFF2) receptors were investigated after supraspinal administration in mice. Injected into the third ventricle, VPNLPQRF-NH2, which is selective for Neuropeptide FF1 receptor induced a hypothermia while EFWSLAAPQRF-NH2 and SPAFLFQPQRF-NH2 which are selective for Neuropeptide FF2 receptor, did not. Furthermore, EFWSLAAPQRF-NH2 significantly increased the body temperature when compared to saline treated mice, indicating that Neuropeptide FF1 receptor could be responsible for hypothermia while Neuropeptide FF2 mediated an hyperthermic effect. After administration into the lateral ventricle, 1DMe ([D.Tyr1,(N.Me)Phe3]NPFF), a weakly selective Neuropeptide FF2 receptor agonist, exerted a clear anti-opioid effect in the tail flick test. The selective Neuropeptide FF1 receptor agonist VPNLPQRF-NH2 did not induce significant anti-opioid actions but rather increased, dose-dependently, morphine analgesia while EFWSLAAPQRF-NH2, the highest selective Neuropeptide FF2 receptor analog, induced the same pharmacological effect as VPNLPQRF-NH2 at comparable doses. These features indicate that the pro- and anti-opioid actions are not strictly related to the selectivity towards Neuropeptide FF2 or Neuropeptide FF1 receptor. Our data demonstrate that Neuropeptide FF1 and Neuropeptide FF2 receptors differently modulate nervous system functions.