Neuropeptide K (also known as neurokinin K), is a protein encoded by the
TAC1 gene. It is an elongated derivative of the
N-terminus of
neurokinin A
Neurokinin A (NKA), formerly known as Substance K, is a neurologically active peptide translated from the pre-protachykinin gene. Neurokinin A has many excitatory effects on mammalian nervous systems and is also influential on the mammalian inflam ...
as the final
post-translational processing product of
beta-preprotachykinin.
Like neurokinin A, neuropeptide K has been localized to
sensory neuron
Sensory neurons, also known as afferent neurons, are neurons in the nervous system, that convert a specific type of stimulus, via their receptors, into action potentials or graded potentials. This process is called sensory transduction. The cel ...
s and likely plays a role in regulating sensation.
While several mammalian brains are shown to express substance P and neurokinin A, they differ on expression of neurokinin A-derived peptides. In contrast with rat and cow brains, the human brain contains larger amounts of neuropeptide K.
References
{{Autacoids
Neuropeptides
Neurotransmitters