Anderson, Ross CalleyNewton, Claire L.Millar, Robert P.Katz, Arieh A.2014-08-252014-08-252014-06Anderson, RC, Newton, CL, Millar, RP & Katz, AA 2014, 'The Brugia malayi neuropeptide receptor-4 is activated by FMRFamide-like peptides and signals via Gα', Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, vol. 195, no. 1, pp. 54-58.0166-6851 (print)1872-9428 (online)10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.07.002http://hdl.handle.net/2263/41583Genetic studies undertaken in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans have demonstrated the importance of neuropeptidergic signalling in nematode physiology. Disruption of this signalling may have deleterious phenotypic consequences, including altered locomotion, feeding behaviour, and reproduction. Neuropeptide G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that transduce many of these signals therefore represent cogent drug targets. Recently published genomic sequencing data for a number of parasitic helminths of medical and veterinary importance has revealed the apparent conservation of a number of neuropeptides, and neuropeptide receptors between parasitic and free-living species, raising the intriguing possibility of developing broad-spectrum anthelmintic therapeutics. Here, we identify and clone a neuropeptide receptor, NPR-4, from the human filarial nematode Brugia malayi and demonstrate its activation in vitro, by FMRFamide-like peptides of the FLP-18 family, and intracellular signalling via G i mediated pathways. These data represent the first example of deorphanisation of a neuropeptide GPCR in any parasitic helminth species.en© 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, vol. 195, no.1, pp. 54-58, 2014. doi : 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.07.002.Brugia malayiFMRFamide-like peptidesNeuropeptideNeuropeptide receptorLymphatic filariasis (LF)G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)Postprint Article