Natriuretic Peptide Precursor B (NPPB)

NPPB is expressed in a subset of TRPV1 (602076)-expressing neurons and found that Nppb-null mice selectively lose almost all behavioral responses to itch-inducing agents. Nppb triggered potent scratching when injected intrathecally in wildtype and Nppb-null mice, showing that this neuropeptide evokes itch when released from somatosensory neurons. Itch responses were blocked by toxin-mediated ablation of Nppb receptor-expressing cells, but a second neuropeptide, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP; 137260), still induced strong responses in the toxin-treated animals. Mishra and Hoon (2013) concluded that their results defined the primary pruriceptive neurons, characterized Nppb as an itch-selective neuropeptide, and revealed the next 2 stages of this dedicated neuronal pathway.