Neuropeptide S receptor
neuropeptide s receptor
The neuropeptide S receptor ( NPSR ) is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily of integral membrane proteins which binds neuropeptide S (NPS). It was formerly an orphan receptor, GPR154, until the discovery of neuropeptide S as the endogenous ligand.  In the CNS, activation of the NPSR by NPS promotes arousal and anxiolytic -like effects.   In addition, mututations in NPSR have been linked to a susceptibility to asthma. Hence NPSR has also been called GPRA (G protein-coupled receptor for asthma susceptibility). Activation of NPSR in the airway epithelium has a number of effects including upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases which are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma.   This gene is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor 1 family and encodes a plasma membrane protein. Increased expression of this gene in ciliated cells of the respiratory epithelium and in bronchial smooth muscle cells is associated with asthma. Mutations in this gene have also been associated with this disease. Alternatively spliced variants which encode different protein isoforms have been described; however, not all variants have been fully characterized.