# Mass Spectrometric Studies of Neuropeptides in Feeding

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2022 · $431,571

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Feeding behavior is critical for animal survival, and is also a fundamental aspect of energy homeostasis. This
process is regulated by highly complex neurochemical pathways involving a multitude of neuropeptides and
biogenic amines. Despite decades of work on individual neurochemical systems, the general organizational
principles underlying neuromodulation are still poorly understood. This is mainly due to the fact that
modulation of neural circuit has so far been studied primarily one modulator at a time without the knowledge
about co-modulation of networks. The latter information would require the development of sensitive and
selective analytical tools to precisely identify these low abundance endogenous signaling molecules and
accurately measure their behaviorally-relevant concentrations in a complex microenvironment. Our proposed
research aims to address this critical knowledge and technological gap by developing new bioanalytical
methods to elucidate the complex identities and functional roles of neuropeptides in food intake via combined
mass spectrometric and physiological approaches. We employ the crustacean stomatogastric nervous
system, cardiovascular system, and its associated neuroendocrine organs as a test-bed for technology
development and validation due to the unique advantages and biological significance of this model system. In
parallel, we aim to translate our technology development for neuropeptide discovery and analysis to the
mammalian central nervous system. To this end, we propose to focus on key brain regions in a rat model at
progressively more complex levels of feeding-related information processing. The specific aims include: (1)
Developing and applying mass defect-based, amine reactive chemical tags coupled with data-independent
acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry (MS)-based strategy for multiplexed quantitation of neuropeptide changes
under different feeding conditions; (2) Developing a nanosecond photochemical reaction (nsPCR)-assisted
MALDI-based mass spectral imaging (MSI) technique for mapping co-localization patterns of individual
isoforms of extended peptide families and amine neurotransmitters in identified neurons and the feeding
circuits, with enhanced sensitivity and chemical information; and (3) Assessing functional roles of
neuropeptides in feeding and cardiac regulation using a multi-pronged approach integrating in vivo
microdialysis and ex vivo physiological and behavioral measurements. Novel neuropeptides will be evaluated
for functional roles in feeding regulation at the neuronal network and system levels. The outcome of the
proposed research will be a suite of new analytical tools enabling quantitative assessment of the interplay of
neuropeptides and biogenic amines with high spatial, chemical and temporal information. The parallel
application of these new methods to both crustacean and mammalian nervous systems in feeding will
accelerate our pace towards the development of new...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10241060
- **Project number:** 2R01DK071801-15
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** LINGJUN LI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $431,571
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2006-05-01 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10241060

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10241060, Mass Spectrometric Studies of Neuropeptides in Feeding (2R01DK071801-15). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10241060. Licensed CC0.

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