Objective: To study the efficacy of antisense oligonucleotide of neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y5 receptor on treating hyperleptinemia by intracerebral ventricular administration in diet-induced obese rats.Methods: The obese r...Objective: To study the efficacy of antisense oligonucleotide of neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y5 receptor on treating hyperleptinemia by intracerebral ventricular administration in diet-induced obese rats.Methods: The obese rats were prepared by feeding a high-nutritive diet for 7 weeks. The lateral ventricle of obese rats was cannulated. Either 10 μl of different neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor oligodeoxynucleotide, including antisense, sense and missense oligodeoxynucleotide (5 g/L) or 10 μl saline was administered into the ventricle through cannula three times per day in every rat. Two days later the rats were slaughtered .The weights of both retroperitoneal and epididymal adipose tissues were measured, and the serum insulin and leptin were detected by radioimmunoassay method and the murine leptin ELISA kit respectively. Results: ①The level of serum was significantly higher in experimental rats than that in normal rats. Similarly, the level of serum insulin and the weights of both retroperitoneal and epididymal adipose tissues were increased in experimental rats. ②After the diet-induced obese rats were intraventricularly administered with NPY Y5 receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, the levels of serum leptin and insulin were significantly decreased and combined with the reduction of weight in retroperitoneal adipose tissue. There was, however, no significant difference in the weight of epidymal adipose tissue between pre-treated and post-treated duration. ③There was significant positive correlation among the level of serum leptin, the level of serum insulin and the weight of retroperritoneal adipose tissue in diet-induced obese rats. Conclusion: Intracerebral ventricular administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide of neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor may alleviate hyperleptinemia in diet-induced obese rats and decrease the weight of retroperitoneal adipose tissue and the level of serum insulin.展开更多
Objective: To study the role of β3-adrenergic receptor gene in neuropeptide Y(NPY) Y5 receptor antisense gene therapy of diet-induced obese rats.Methods: The diet-induced obese rats were prepared by feeding a high-nu...Objective: To study the role of β3-adrenergic receptor gene in neuropeptide Y(NPY) Y5 receptor antisense gene therapy of diet-induced obese rats.Methods: The diet-induced obese rats were prepared by feeding a high-nutrition diet. Lateral ventricular was cannulated in obese rats which then received an intraventricular injection of either 5 μg/μl NPY Y5 receptor antisense or 10 μl missense oligodeoxynucleotide or saline of 10 μl respectively in every rat. When the rats were killed, the wet weight of abdominal adipose tissue, the level of serum lipid and lipoprotein were measured. Total RNA from the retroperitoneal adipose tissue was extracted and the level of β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR.Results: ①The wet weight of abdominal adipose tissue, the levels of serum lipids were greatly higher in diet-induced obese rats than those in normal rats. However, there were much lower β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression levels in retroperitoneal adipose tissue in diet-induced obese rats as compared with those in normal rats. ②After the diet-induced obese rats were intraventricularly administered with NPY Y5 receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, the levels of β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression in retroperitoneal adipose tissue of diet-induced obese rats were strikingly up-regulated, whereas the wet weight of abdominal adipose tissue, the levels of serum lipids were markedly reduced.Conclusion: Intraventricular administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to NPY Y5 receptor could significantly reduce the abdominal adipose tissue and the levels of serum lipids in diet-induced obese rats by up-regulating the level of β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression in retroperitoneal adipose tissue.展开更多
Neuropeptide Y receptor Y8(NPY8R)is a fish-specific receptor with two subtypes,NPY8AR and NPY8BR.Changes in expression levels during physiological processes or in vivo regulation after ventricular injection suggest th...Neuropeptide Y receptor Y8(NPY8R)is a fish-specific receptor with two subtypes,NPY8AR and NPY8BR.Changes in expression levels during physiological processes or in vivo regulation after ventricular injection suggest that NPY8BR plays an important role in feeding regulation;this has been found in only a few fish,at present.In order to better understand the physiological function of npy8br,especially in digestion,we used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9(Cas9)technology to generate npy8br-/-japanese medaka(Oryzias latipes).We found that the deletion of npy8br in medaka larvae affected their feeding and digestion ability,ultimately affecting their growth.Specifically,npy8br deficiency in medaka larvae resulted in decreased feed intake and decreased expression levels of orexigenic genes(npy and agrp).npy8br-/-medaka larvae fed for 10 d(10th day of feeding)still had incompletely digested brine shrimp(Artemia nauplii)in the digestive tract 8 h after feeding,the messenger RNA(mRNA)expression levels of digestion-related genes(amy,lpl,ctra,and ctrb)were significantly decreased,and the activity of amylase,trypsin,and lipase also significantly decreased.The deletion of npy8br in medaka larvae inhibited the growth and significantly decreased the expression of growth-related genes(gh and igf1).Hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)sections of intestinal tissue showed that npy8br-/-medaka larvae had damaged intestine,thinned intestinal wall,and shortened intestinal villi.So far,this is the first npy8br gene knockout model established in fish and the first demonstration that npy8br plays an important role in digestion.展开更多
Neuropeptides and their receptors are involved in the regulation and coordination of various physiological processes in insects.Although various neuropeptides have been identified previously,the corresponding receptor...Neuropeptides and their receptors are involved in the regulation and coordination of various physiological processes in insects.Although various neuropeptides have been identified previously,the corresponding receptors remain unknown in the oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera dorsalis,an important agricultural insect pest.It is also unclear whether neuropeptide signaling systems are involved in regulating the thermal tolerance of this notorious pest.Here,we systematically identified 44 putative neuropeptide receptor genes which encode 66 protein sequences,and analyzed the spatio-temporal expression patterns of the neuropeptide ligands and their receptor genes in B.dorsalis.We also analyzed changes in their transcript accumulation in two thermo-tolerant populations(heat and cold)of B.dorsalis.The results showed that numerous neuropeptides and receptors participate in responding to thermal stresses during acclimation.In particular,the expression of short neuropeptide F(sNPF)was up-regulated in the heat-tolerant population of B.dorsalis.Moreover,proteomic data showed that sNPF was up-regulated in both thermo-tolerant populations of B.dorsalis.The functional verification based on CRISPR/Cas9 demonstrated that sNPF is involved in regulating the tolerance to thermal stresses.The results of this study enrich our knowledge on the function of neuropeptide sNPF in insects.Moreover,this study demonstrated the role of neuropeptide signaling systems in thermal adaptation,contributing to a better understanding of the rapid invasiveness of B.dorsalis around the world.展开更多
BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is an inflammatory bowel disease that is difficult to diagnose and treat.To date,the degree of inflammation in patients with UC has mainly been determined by measuring the levels of no...BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is an inflammatory bowel disease that is difficult to diagnose and treat.To date,the degree of inflammation in patients with UC has mainly been determined by measuring the levels of nonspecific indicators,such as C-reactive protein and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate,but these indicators have an unsatisfactory specificity.In this study,we performed bioinformatics analysis using data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information-Gene Expression Omnibus(NCBI-GEO)databases and verified the selected core genes in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis.AIM To identify UC-related differentially expressed genes(DEGs)using a bioinformatics analysis and verify them in vivo and to identify novel biomarkers and the underlying mechanisms of UC.METHODS Two microarray datasets from the NCBI-GEO database were used,and DEGs between patients with UC and healthy controls were analyzed using GEO2R and Venn diagrams.We annotated these genes based on their functions and signaling pathways,and then protein-protein interactions(PPIs)were identified using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes.The data were further analyzed with Cytoscape software and the Molecular Complex Detection(MCODE)app.The core genes were selected and a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis was performed.Finally,colitis model mice were established by administering DSS,and the top three core genes were verified in colitis mice using real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).RESULTS One hundred and seventy-seven DEGs,118 upregulated and 59 downregulated,were initially identified from the GEO2R analysis and predominantly participated in inflammation-related pathways.Seven clusters with close interactions in UC formed:Seventeen core genes were upregulated[C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13(CXCL13),C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2(CXCR2),CXCL9,CXCL5,C-C motif chemokine ligand 18,interleukin 1 beta,matrix metallopeptidase 9,CXCL3,formyl peptide receptor 1,complement component 3,CXCL8,CXCL1,CXCL10,CXCL2,CXCL6,CXCL11 and hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 3]and one was downregulated[neuropeptide Y receptor Y1(NYP1R)]in the top cluster according to the PPI and MCODE analyses.These genes were substantially enriched in the cytokinecytokine receptor interaction and chemokine signaling pathways.The top three core genes(CXCL13,NYP1R,and CXCR2)were selected and verified in a mouse model of colitis using real-time PCR Increased expression was observed compared with the control mice,but only CXCR2 expression was significantly different.CONCLUSION Core DEGs identified in UC are related to inflammation and immunity inflammation,indicating that these reactions are core features of the pathogenesis of UC.CXCR2 may reflect the degree of inflammation in patients with UC.展开更多
Neuropeptide Y(NPY)was first identified from porcine brain in 1982,and plays its biological functions in humans through NPY receptors(Y1,Y2,Y4 and Y5).NPY receptors are known to mediate various physiological functions...Neuropeptide Y(NPY)was first identified from porcine brain in 1982,and plays its biological functions in humans through NPY receptors(Y1,Y2,Y4 and Y5).NPY receptors are known to mediate various physiological functions and involve in a majority of human diseases,such as obesity,hypertension,epilepsy and metabolic disorders.Recently,NPY receptors have been found to be overexpressed in many cancers,so they emerged as promising target in cancer diagnosis and therapy.This review focuses on the latest research about NPY and NPY receptors,and summarizes the current knowledge on NPY receptors expression in cancers,selective ligands for NPY receptors and their application in cancer imaging and therapy.展开更多
Striatal neurons can be either projection neurons or interneurons, with each type exhibiting distinct susceptibility to various types of brain damage. In this study, 6-hydroxydopamine was injected into the right media...Striatal neurons can be either projection neurons or interneurons, with each type exhibiting distinct susceptibility to various types of brain damage. In this study, 6-hydroxydopamine was injected into the right medial forebrain bundle to induce dopamine depletion, and/or ibotenic acid was injected into the M1 cortex to induce motor cortex lesions. Immunohistochemistry and western blot assay showed that dopaminergic depletion results in significant loss of striatal projection neurons marked by dopamine- and cyclic adenosine monophosphate-regulated phosphoprotein, molecular weight 32 k Da, calbindin, and μ-opioid receptor, while cortical lesions reversed these pathological changes. After dopaminergic deletion, the number of neuropeptide Y-positive striatal interneurons markedly increased, which was also inhibited by cortical lesioning. No noticeable change in the number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons was found in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats. Striatal projection neurons and interneurons show different susceptibility to dopaminergic depletion. Further, cortical lesions inhibit striatal dysfunction and damage induced by 6-hydroxydopamine, which provides a new possibility for clinical treatment of Parkinson's disease.展开更多
Energy homeostasis,which refers to the physiological processes that the energy intake is exquisitely coordinated with energy expenditure,is critical for survival.Therefore,multiple and complex mechanisms have been inv...Energy homeostasis,which refers to the physiological processes that the energy intake is exquisitely coordinated with energy expenditure,is critical for survival.Therefore,multiple and complex mechanisms have been involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis.The central melanocortin system plays an important role in modulating energy homeostasis.This system includes the orexigenic neurons,expressing neuropeptide Y/Agouti-related protein(NPY/AgRP),and the anorexigenic neurons expressing proopiomelanocortin(POMC).The downstream receptors of NPY,AgRP and post-translational products of POMC are G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs).This review summarizes the compelling evidence demonstrating that NPY and melanocortin receptors are involved in energy homeostasis.Subsequently,the comparative studies on physiology and pharmacology of NPY and melanocortin receptors in humans,rodents and teleosts are summarized.Also,we provide a strategy demonstrating the potential application of the new ligands and/or specific variants of melanocortin system in aquaculture.展开更多
文摘Objective: To study the efficacy of antisense oligonucleotide of neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y5 receptor on treating hyperleptinemia by intracerebral ventricular administration in diet-induced obese rats.Methods: The obese rats were prepared by feeding a high-nutritive diet for 7 weeks. The lateral ventricle of obese rats was cannulated. Either 10 μl of different neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor oligodeoxynucleotide, including antisense, sense and missense oligodeoxynucleotide (5 g/L) or 10 μl saline was administered into the ventricle through cannula three times per day in every rat. Two days later the rats were slaughtered .The weights of both retroperitoneal and epididymal adipose tissues were measured, and the serum insulin and leptin were detected by radioimmunoassay method and the murine leptin ELISA kit respectively. Results: ①The level of serum was significantly higher in experimental rats than that in normal rats. Similarly, the level of serum insulin and the weights of both retroperitoneal and epididymal adipose tissues were increased in experimental rats. ②After the diet-induced obese rats were intraventricularly administered with NPY Y5 receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, the levels of serum leptin and insulin were significantly decreased and combined with the reduction of weight in retroperitoneal adipose tissue. There was, however, no significant difference in the weight of epidymal adipose tissue between pre-treated and post-treated duration. ③There was significant positive correlation among the level of serum leptin, the level of serum insulin and the weight of retroperritoneal adipose tissue in diet-induced obese rats. Conclusion: Intracerebral ventricular administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide of neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor may alleviate hyperleptinemia in diet-induced obese rats and decrease the weight of retroperitoneal adipose tissue and the level of serum insulin.
文摘Objective: To study the role of β3-adrenergic receptor gene in neuropeptide Y(NPY) Y5 receptor antisense gene therapy of diet-induced obese rats.Methods: The diet-induced obese rats were prepared by feeding a high-nutrition diet. Lateral ventricular was cannulated in obese rats which then received an intraventricular injection of either 5 μg/μl NPY Y5 receptor antisense or 10 μl missense oligodeoxynucleotide or saline of 10 μl respectively in every rat. When the rats were killed, the wet weight of abdominal adipose tissue, the level of serum lipid and lipoprotein were measured. Total RNA from the retroperitoneal adipose tissue was extracted and the level of β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR.Results: ①The wet weight of abdominal adipose tissue, the levels of serum lipids were greatly higher in diet-induced obese rats than those in normal rats. However, there were much lower β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression levels in retroperitoneal adipose tissue in diet-induced obese rats as compared with those in normal rats. ②After the diet-induced obese rats were intraventricularly administered with NPY Y5 receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, the levels of β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression in retroperitoneal adipose tissue of diet-induced obese rats were strikingly up-regulated, whereas the wet weight of abdominal adipose tissue, the levels of serum lipids were markedly reduced.Conclusion: Intraventricular administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to NPY Y5 receptor could significantly reduce the abdominal adipose tissue and the levels of serum lipids in diet-induced obese rats by up-regulating the level of β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression in retroperitoneal adipose tissue.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31972809)the Key Research&Development Program of Hubei Province(No.2022BBA0051),China.
文摘Neuropeptide Y receptor Y8(NPY8R)is a fish-specific receptor with two subtypes,NPY8AR and NPY8BR.Changes in expression levels during physiological processes or in vivo regulation after ventricular injection suggest that NPY8BR plays an important role in feeding regulation;this has been found in only a few fish,at present.In order to better understand the physiological function of npy8br,especially in digestion,we used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9(Cas9)technology to generate npy8br-/-japanese medaka(Oryzias latipes).We found that the deletion of npy8br in medaka larvae affected their feeding and digestion ability,ultimately affecting their growth.Specifically,npy8br deficiency in medaka larvae resulted in decreased feed intake and decreased expression levels of orexigenic genes(npy and agrp).npy8br-/-medaka larvae fed for 10 d(10th day of feeding)still had incompletely digested brine shrimp(Artemia nauplii)in the digestive tract 8 h after feeding,the messenger RNA(mRNA)expression levels of digestion-related genes(amy,lpl,ctra,and ctrb)were significantly decreased,and the activity of amylase,trypsin,and lipase also significantly decreased.The deletion of npy8br in medaka larvae inhibited the growth and significantly decreased the expression of growth-related genes(gh and igf1).Hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)sections of intestinal tissue showed that npy8br-/-medaka larvae had damaged intestine,thinned intestinal wall,and shortened intestinal villi.So far,this is the first npy8br gene knockout model established in fish and the first demonstration that npy8br plays an important role in digestion.
基金supported by funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U21A20222 and 32072491)the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFC2601000)the 111 Project,China(B18044)and the earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System(CARS-26)。
文摘Neuropeptides and their receptors are involved in the regulation and coordination of various physiological processes in insects.Although various neuropeptides have been identified previously,the corresponding receptors remain unknown in the oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera dorsalis,an important agricultural insect pest.It is also unclear whether neuropeptide signaling systems are involved in regulating the thermal tolerance of this notorious pest.Here,we systematically identified 44 putative neuropeptide receptor genes which encode 66 protein sequences,and analyzed the spatio-temporal expression patterns of the neuropeptide ligands and their receptor genes in B.dorsalis.We also analyzed changes in their transcript accumulation in two thermo-tolerant populations(heat and cold)of B.dorsalis.The results showed that numerous neuropeptides and receptors participate in responding to thermal stresses during acclimation.In particular,the expression of short neuropeptide F(sNPF)was up-regulated in the heat-tolerant population of B.dorsalis.Moreover,proteomic data showed that sNPF was up-regulated in both thermo-tolerant populations of B.dorsalis.The functional verification based on CRISPR/Cas9 demonstrated that sNPF is involved in regulating the tolerance to thermal stresses.The results of this study enrich our knowledge on the function of neuropeptide sNPF in insects.Moreover,this study demonstrated the role of neuropeptide signaling systems in thermal adaptation,contributing to a better understanding of the rapid invasiveness of B.dorsalis around the world.
基金Chinese Medicine Inheritance and Innovation“One Hundred Million”Talent Project Qihuang Scholar(to Li JX)The National Key R&D Program of China during the 13th Five-Year Plan Period,No.2018YFC1705405and The 66th China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.2019M660575.
文摘BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is an inflammatory bowel disease that is difficult to diagnose and treat.To date,the degree of inflammation in patients with UC has mainly been determined by measuring the levels of nonspecific indicators,such as C-reactive protein and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate,but these indicators have an unsatisfactory specificity.In this study,we performed bioinformatics analysis using data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information-Gene Expression Omnibus(NCBI-GEO)databases and verified the selected core genes in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis.AIM To identify UC-related differentially expressed genes(DEGs)using a bioinformatics analysis and verify them in vivo and to identify novel biomarkers and the underlying mechanisms of UC.METHODS Two microarray datasets from the NCBI-GEO database were used,and DEGs between patients with UC and healthy controls were analyzed using GEO2R and Venn diagrams.We annotated these genes based on their functions and signaling pathways,and then protein-protein interactions(PPIs)were identified using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes.The data were further analyzed with Cytoscape software and the Molecular Complex Detection(MCODE)app.The core genes were selected and a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis was performed.Finally,colitis model mice were established by administering DSS,and the top three core genes were verified in colitis mice using real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).RESULTS One hundred and seventy-seven DEGs,118 upregulated and 59 downregulated,were initially identified from the GEO2R analysis and predominantly participated in inflammation-related pathways.Seven clusters with close interactions in UC formed:Seventeen core genes were upregulated[C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13(CXCL13),C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2(CXCR2),CXCL9,CXCL5,C-C motif chemokine ligand 18,interleukin 1 beta,matrix metallopeptidase 9,CXCL3,formyl peptide receptor 1,complement component 3,CXCL8,CXCL1,CXCL10,CXCL2,CXCL6,CXCL11 and hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 3]and one was downregulated[neuropeptide Y receptor Y1(NYP1R)]in the top cluster according to the PPI and MCODE analyses.These genes were substantially enriched in the cytokinecytokine receptor interaction and chemokine signaling pathways.The top three core genes(CXCL13,NYP1R,and CXCR2)were selected and verified in a mouse model of colitis using real-time PCR Increased expression was observed compared with the control mice,but only CXCR2 expression was significantly different.CONCLUSION Core DEGs identified in UC are related to inflammation and immunity inflammation,indicating that these reactions are core features of the pathogenesis of UC.CXCR2 may reflect the degree of inflammation in patients with UC.
基金This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51303196 and U1432114)Ningbo Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.2013A610092)+1 种基金the Key Breakthrough Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(KGZD-EW-T06)Hundred Talents Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(A.G.U.,2010-735).
文摘Neuropeptide Y(NPY)was first identified from porcine brain in 1982,and plays its biological functions in humans through NPY receptors(Y1,Y2,Y4 and Y5).NPY receptors are known to mediate various physiological functions and involve in a majority of human diseases,such as obesity,hypertension,epilepsy and metabolic disorders.Recently,NPY receptors have been found to be overexpressed in many cancers,so they emerged as promising target in cancer diagnosis and therapy.This review focuses on the latest research about NPY and NPY receptors,and summarizes the current knowledge on NPY receptors expression in cancers,selective ligands for NPY receptors and their application in cancer imaging and therapy.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81471288
文摘Striatal neurons can be either projection neurons or interneurons, with each type exhibiting distinct susceptibility to various types of brain damage. In this study, 6-hydroxydopamine was injected into the right medial forebrain bundle to induce dopamine depletion, and/or ibotenic acid was injected into the M1 cortex to induce motor cortex lesions. Immunohistochemistry and western blot assay showed that dopaminergic depletion results in significant loss of striatal projection neurons marked by dopamine- and cyclic adenosine monophosphate-regulated phosphoprotein, molecular weight 32 k Da, calbindin, and μ-opioid receptor, while cortical lesions reversed these pathological changes. After dopaminergic deletion, the number of neuropeptide Y-positive striatal interneurons markedly increased, which was also inhibited by cortical lesioning. No noticeable change in the number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons was found in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats. Striatal projection neurons and interneurons show different susceptibility to dopaminergic depletion. Further, cortical lesions inhibit striatal dysfunction and damage induced by 6-hydroxydopamine, which provides a new possibility for clinical treatment of Parkinson's disease.
基金supported by grants from Blue Granary Science and Technology Innovation[2019YFD0901000].
文摘Energy homeostasis,which refers to the physiological processes that the energy intake is exquisitely coordinated with energy expenditure,is critical for survival.Therefore,multiple and complex mechanisms have been involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis.The central melanocortin system plays an important role in modulating energy homeostasis.This system includes the orexigenic neurons,expressing neuropeptide Y/Agouti-related protein(NPY/AgRP),and the anorexigenic neurons expressing proopiomelanocortin(POMC).The downstream receptors of NPY,AgRP and post-translational products of POMC are G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs).This review summarizes the compelling evidence demonstrating that NPY and melanocortin receptors are involved in energy homeostasis.Subsequently,the comparative studies on physiology and pharmacology of NPY and melanocortin receptors in humans,rodents and teleosts are summarized.Also,we provide a strategy demonstrating the potential application of the new ligands and/or specific variants of melanocortin system in aquaculture.