How brain cells release peptide messengers
Cellular mechanisms of peptidergic signaling
This work aims to understand how brain and hormone-producing cells release peptide messengers that influence appetite, mood, pain, and metabolism, which could help people with diabetes, depression, addiction, and related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258995 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I want to know how my brain cells send out peptide messengers that control hunger, mood and pain. The team will study mammalian neurons in the lab to identify the molecular steps and receptors that control peptide release, looking beyond the usual focus on calcium. They will test whether different neuron types use different release mechanisms and whether G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) strongly regulate peptide secretion. The goal is to explain why neuropeptide release can be hard to trigger and to point to new targets for future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with metabolic or neurological conditions tied to peptide or neuropeptide signaling—for example diabetes, major depression, addiction, eating disorders, or Huntington’s disease—could be future candidates for therapies based on these findings.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not connected to peptide/neuropeptide signaling, or those needing immediate clinical treatments, are unlikely to see direct benefits from this basic laboratory research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new molecular targets for drugs to treat conditions linked to peptide signaling, such as diabetes, depression, addiction, chronic pain, and eating disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown roles for calcium and GPCRs in neurotransmitter release, but applying a cell-type specific, diverse-mechanism view to neuropeptide secretion is relatively novel and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banghart, Matthew R. — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Banghart, Matthew R.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.