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University of Mississippi

Design synthesis and biological evaluation of non-peptide neuropeptide FF ligands

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Neuropeptide FF is an endogenous RF-amide with two receptor subtypes originally described as having anti-opioid characteristics. While peptide work helped to elucidate key features for targeting the subtypes of the neuropeptide FF receptor, non-peptide small molecules offer a more refined tool to discover features that affect selectivity and affinity. Improvements in small molecule ligands for neuropeptide FF support lead development and offer a clearer understanding of the binding pocket of each receptor subtype. Previous work on the lead 4&ndash;anilindopiperidine structure clarified a key feature between agonist and antagonist behavior. Early modifications of substituents of the piperidine nitrogen were tolerated and created selective ligands. Therefore, syntheses of aliphatic and aromatic substitutions of the piperidine nitrogen of a 4&ndash;anilinopiperdine lead molecule were conducted. <italic>In vitro</italic> evaluation of the novel compounds was conducted through a collaborator. Binding affinities of the novel compounds were determined through displacement of a radioligand ([<super>3</super>H]-NPVF for NPFF<sub>1</sub> receptors and [<super>3</super>H]-EYF for NPFF<sub>2</sub> receptors) and were conducted for each subtype. Though some of the compounds, such as cycloheptylmethyl substituted analog, did not bind within the limits of the assay to either subtype, other compounds, such as the cyclopropylmethyl and methylindole derivatives, did bind. The cyclopentylmethyl and methylindole derivatives offered a weak preference for the second subtype. The formalin assay offers an opportunity to evaluate neuropeptide FF in a tonic pain model. In summation, selective non-peptide ligands for each neuropeptide FF receptor offer a key tool to elucidating the evolving role of neuropeptide FF and creating potentially useful therapeutics in the future.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Biomolecular Sciences
Year dc:date.available
2012

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Mankus, Jessica Valentinas
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Christopher R. McCurdy
  • David B. Murray
  • John M. Rimoldi

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/1450
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:egrove.olemiss.edu:etd-2449

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Mississippi
Base URL
egrove.olemiss.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Mankus, Jessica Valentinas. Design synthesis and biological evaluation of non-peptide neuropeptide FF ligands. Dissertation thesis, 2012. https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/1450