Small-molecule non-peptide antagonists of the PACAP receptor attenuate acute restraint stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice

Yusuke Shintani, Yui Yamano, Manato kuta, Rei Takeshita, Kazuhiro Takuma, Takuya Okada, Naoki Toyooka, Ichiro Takasaki, Atsuro Miyata, Takashi Kurihara, Hitoshi Hashimoto*, Atsuko Hayata-Takano*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a highly conserved pleiotropic neuropeptide, implicated in emotional stress responses and anxiety-related disorders. Here, we examined whether our recently developed small-molecule non-peptide PACAP receptor antagonists could ameliorate anxiety-like behaviors induced by acute restraint stress in mice. The antagonists PA-9 and its derivative PA-915 improved anxiety-like behaviors in mice subjected to restraint stress. An anxiolytic effect was observed with single acute dose, suggesting their fast-acting properties. PA-915 demonstrated a statistically significant anxiolytic effect whereas fluoxetine did not. These results indicate the potential of PAC1 antagonists as a novel treatment for anxiety.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)146-151
Number of pages6
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume631
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022/11/26

Keywords

  • Acute stress
  • Anxiolytic effect
  • PAC1 receptor
  • PACAP
  • Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide
  • Small-molecule non-peptide antagonist

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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