Neuropeptide W30 improves hippocampal-dependent memory and synaptic transmission by promoting NOS1 and CREB expression

BIANCONI S; ARTUR DE VILLARMOIS E; PEREZ MF; PORETTI MB; SCHIÖTH HB; DIAZ V; MARTINI AC; CARLINI VP

Buenos Aires

Congreso; Reunión Conjunta de Sociedades de Biociencias; 2017

SAIC, SAIB, SAI, SAFE, SAA, SAB, SAFE, SAFIS, SAH, SAP

Homeostatic regulation of feeding and energy balance involves cognitive, emotional, sensorial and autonomic events, as well as the activity of a highly integrated and redundant neurohumoral system. Neuropeptide W (NPW) is part of this complex net. There are two mature forms derived from a common precursor peptide, pro-NPW, by proteolytic processing: NPW30 (the 30 amino acids form) and NPW23 (consisting of 23 amino acids). The peptide and its receptors are present in the rat hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, and pituitary. We have previously found that hippocampal administration of NPW30 increased latency time in the step-down test. Objective: to assess the effect of hippocampal NPW30 acute administration on neuroplasticity and expression of several genes related to the molecular cascade of memory in rat hippocampus. Male adult rats were infused into the hippocampus with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (Control group) or NPW30 (0.3 and 3 nmol/μl) and 24h later, the hippocampus was dissected to perform electrophysiological procedure (n=5/each group) or RT-PCR (n=10/each group). Statistics: Student?s t-test or ANOVA followed by Bonferroni. The highest dose of NPW30 reduced the threshold to generate long term potentiation (LTP) (NPW30, 3 nmol/μl: 31.67±5.43 Hz vs. Control: 90.00±17.32 Hz; P