Neuromedin U (NmU or NMU) is a neuropeptide found in the brain of humans and other mammals, which has a number of diverse functions including contraction of smooth muscle, regulation of blood pressure, pain perception, appetite, bone growth, and hormone release. It was first isolated from the spinal cord in 1985, and named after its ability to cause smooth muscle contraction in the uterus.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
^Brighton PJ, Szekeres PG, Willars GB (2004). "Neuromedin U and its receptors: structure, function, and physiological roles". Pharmacol. Rev. 56 (2): 231–48. doi:10.1124/pr.56.2.3. PMID15169928. S2CID884735.
^Torres R, Croll SD, Vercollone J, Reinhardt J, Griffiths J, Zabski S, Anderson KD, Adams NC, Gowen L, Sleeman MW, Valenzuela DM, Wiegand SJ, Yancopoulos GD, Murphy AJ (August 2007). "Mice genetically deficient in neuromedin U receptor 2, but not neuromedin U receptor 1, have impaired nociceptive responses". Pain. 130 (3): 267–78. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2007.01.036. PMID17379411. S2CID23617159.
^Vigo E, Roa J, Pineda R, Castellano JM, Navarro VM, Aguilar E, Pinilla L, Tena-Sempere M (November 2007). "Novel role of the anorexigenic peptide neuromedin U in the control of LH secretion and its regulation by gonadal hormones and photoperiod". American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism. 293 (5): E1265–73. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00425.2007. PMID17726140.
^Iwai T, Iinuma Y, Kodani R, Oka J (May 2008). "Neuromedin U inhibits inflammation-mediated memory impairment and neuronal cell-death in rodents". Neuroscience Research. 61 (1): 113–9. doi:10.1016/j.neures.2008.01.018. PMID18336945. S2CID25260405.
^Brighton PJ, Wise A, Dass NB, Willars GB (April 2008). "Paradoxical behavior of neuromedin U in isolated smooth muscle cells and intact tissue". The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 325 (1): 154–64. doi:10.1124/jpet.107.132803. PMID18180374. S2CID33931881.