Neuropeptidomics: Mass Spectrometry-Based Identification and Quantitation of Neuropeptides

Abstract

Neuropeptides produced from prohormones by selective action of endopeptidases are vital signaling molecules, playing acritical role in a variety of physiological processes, such as addiction, depression, pain, and circadian rhythms. Neuropeptidesbind to post-synaptic receptors and elicit cellular effects like classical neurotransmitters. While each neuropeptide could haveits own biological function, mass spectrometry (MS) allows for the identification of the precise molecular forms of eachpeptide without a priori knowledge of the peptide identity and for the quantitation of neuropeptides in different conditionsof the samples. MS-based neuropeptidomics approaches have been applied to various animal models and conditions tocharacterize and quantify novel neuropeptides, as well as known neuropeptides, advancing our understanding of nervoussystem function over the past decade. Here, we will present an overview of neuropeptides and MS-based neuropeptidomicstrategies for the identification and quantitation of neuropeptides.