Neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors are members of a G protein coupled receptor superfamily and they mediate a variety of physiological responses including feeding and vasoconstriction. The endogenous ligands of NPY receptors are a family of structurally related peptides, including NPY, peptide YY (PYY), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP). Increased activity of NPY and its receptors, Y1R, Y2R, and Y5R has been found in the brain in many forms of experimental obesity. Furthermore, several association studies have supported the association between NPY2R and obesity.
Image: NPY Y2R staining of rat cortex using Cy3-conjugated donkey anti-rabbit secondary antibodies (red color) and DAPI (blue) as a nuclear counterstain.