Cloning the Y2 Receptor From Human Brain — A Major Anti-Obesity Drug Target
The human Y2 receptor was cloned from hippocampus, binding NPY and PYY but not pancreatic polypeptide — a key appetite-regulation target.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
The human Y2 receptor was cloned from hippocampus and shown to selectively bind NPY and PYY but not pancreatic polypeptide.
Key Numbers
How They Did This
Expression cloning from a human hippocampal cDNA library. The receptor was expressed in cells and characterized using radioligand binding and functional assays.
Why This Research Matters
The Y2 receptor is a key regulator of appetite and is the target of PYY(3-36), a gut hormone that reduces food intake. Cloning it enabled development of anti-obesity drug candidates.
The Bigger Picture
PYY(3-36) acting through Y2 is one of the body's main "stop eating" signals. Cloning this receptor opened a major avenue for anti-obesity drug development.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
In vitro characterization of a cloned receptor. Receptor behavior in cell lines may not fully represent its function in brain circuits.
Questions This Raises
- ?Can Y2-selective drugs mimic the appetite-suppressing effect of PYY?
- ?Is Y2 receptor expression altered in obesity?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Anti-obesity target Y2 is the receptor through which the gut hormone PYY signals fullness — a natural "stop eating" switch
- Evidence Grade:
- Strong — molecular cloning with functional characterization and selectivity profiling.
- Study Age:
- Published in 1995 (31 years ago). Y2 agonists and PYY analogs are in clinical development for obesity.
- Original Title:
- Expression cloning and pharmacological characterization of a human hippocampal neuropeptide Y/peptide YY Y2 receptor subtype.
- Published In:
- The Journal of biological chemistry, 270(45), 26758-61 (1995)
- Authors:
- Gerald, C, Walker, M W(2), Vaysse, P J, He, C, Branchek, T A, Weinshank, R L
- Database ID:
- RPEP-00321
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Y2 special for weight loss?
Y2 is the receptor that PYY(3-36) — a gut hormone released after eating — uses to tell the brain "stop eating." Drugs that activate Y2 could mimic this natural fullness signal.
Are there Y2-based obesity drugs?
PYY(3-36) analogs and Y2-selective drugs are in clinical development. This 1995 cloning study was a critical enabling step for that research.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-00321APA
Gerald, C; Walker, M W; Vaysse, P J; He, C; Branchek, T A; Weinshank, R L. (1995). Expression cloning and pharmacological characterization of a human hippocampal neuropeptide Y/peptide YY Y2 receptor subtype.. The Journal of biological chemistry, 270(45), 26758-61.
MLA
Gerald, C, et al. "Expression cloning and pharmacological characterization of a human hippocampal neuropeptide Y/peptide YY Y2 receptor subtype.." The Journal of biological chemistry, 1995.
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Expression cloning and pharmacological characterization of a..." RPEP-00321. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/gerald-1995-expression-cloning-and-pharmacological
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Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.