Neuropeptides Internalization

Substance P belongs to a group of neuropeptides known as the neurokinins (NKs). The biological effects of substance P in the central nervous system are mediated primarily by its binding to the NK-1 receptor. The NK-1 receptor is distributed in the plasma membrane of unstimulated cells and upon stimulation undergoes rapid internalization, followed by rapid recycling to the plasma membrane. Studies examining internalization of this neuropeptide-receptor complex have provided insights into when neuropeptides are activated in health and disease and have allowed the selective delivery of high-molecular weight therapies to the intracellular compartment of neuropeptide receptor-expressing cells.