Neuropeptides: The Evergreen Jack-of-All-Trades in Neuronal Circuit Development and Regulation

Abstract

Neuropeptides are key modulators of adult neurocircuits, balancing their sensitivity to both excitation and inhibition, and fine-tuning fast neurotransmitter action under physiological conditions. Here, we reason that transient increases in neuropeptide availability and action exist during brain development for synapse maturation, selection, and maintenance. We discuss fundamental concepts of neuropeptide signaling at G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), with a particular focus on how signaling at neuropeptide GPCRs could underpin neuronal morphogenesis. We use galanin, a 29/30 amino acid-long neuropeptide, as an example for its retrograde release from the dendrites of thalamic neurons to impact the selection and wiring of sensory afferents originating at the trigeminal nucleus through galanin receptor 1 (GalR₁) engagement. Thus, we suggest novel roles for neuropeptides, expressed transiently or permanently during both pre- and postnatal neuronal circuit development, with potentially life-long effects on circuit layout and ensuing behavioral operations.