Neuropeptides and Other Bioactive Peptides: From Discovery to Function

Neuropeptides and peptide hormones represent the largest class of chemical messengers that transmit information from one cell to another. In this review, several decades of research on peptides in cell-cell signaling are summarized, with a focus on neuropeptide discovery, biosynthesis, and function. In addition to covering the well-studied aspects of neuropeptides, emerging concepts are discussed, including classical versus non-classical neuropeptides and direct versus indirect neuropeptides. Other potential functions for peptides in inter- and intracellular signaling are also discussed. Keywords Neuropeptide, hormone, prohormone convertase, proprotein convertase, carboxypeptidase, amidation, enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin, SAAS, neuropeptide Y, hemopressin