NMB
NMB (neuromedin B) is a bombesin-like neuropeptide that stimulates smooth muscle contraction and signals through the neuromedin B receptor, NMBR. It is secreted and also found in neuron projections; MGC2277, MGC3936 and MGC17211 are older aliases for the gene. Browse Assay Genie's current range of NMB research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
NMB is a neuropeptide whose best-described action is to stimulate smooth muscle contraction. In the brainstem it induces sighing by acting directly on the pre-Botzinger complex, a cluster of several thousand neurons in the ventrolateral medulla that drives inspiration. It also contributes to sneezing: chemical irritants or allergens cause nasal sensory neurons to release NMB, which activates NMBR-expressing neurons in the sneeze-evoking region of the brainstem and, in turn, neurons of the caudal ventral respiratory group. NMB may also contribute to acute itch, possibly through NMBR on dorsal root ganglion neurons.
The NMB gene encodes a member of the bombesin-like family of neuropeptides, and the protein belongs to the bombesin/neuromedin-B/ranatensin family. UniProt records the mature product as secreted and also present in neuron projections. Alternative splicing of the gene gives rise to multiple transcript variants. The encoded peptide is thought to regulate colonic smooth muscle contraction by binding to its cognate receptor, neuromedin B receptor (NMBR).
Beyond the nervous system, NMB has roles in several other tissues. In Leydig cells it increases expression of NMBR and of the steroidogenic mediators STAR, CYP11A1 and HSD3B1, induces testosterone secretion and promotes proliferation. It contributes to the innate immune response to influenza A virus infection by enhancing interferon alpha expression and reducing IL-6 expression, and it supports CSF1-induced proliferation of osteoclast precursors by positively regulating expression of the CSF1 receptor, CSF1R. Bombesin-like peptides negatively regulate eating behaviour, and polymorphisms in the NMB gene may be associated with hunger, weight gain and obesity.
NMB acts on the pre-Botzinger complex to induce sighing and contributes to the brainstem circuitry behind sneezing after irritant or allergen exposure.
NMB may contribute to acute itch, possibly through NMBR on dorsal root ganglion neurons, making it relevant to sensory neuron research.
Bombesin-like peptides negatively regulate eating behaviour, and NMB polymorphisms may be associated with hunger, weight gain and obesity.
NMB raises steroidogenic gene expression, testosterone secretion and proliferation in Leydig cells, linking it to testicular function.
NMB is a neuropeptide that stimulates smooth muscle contraction. It induces sighing via the pre-Botzinger complex, contributes to sneezing and acute itch, and promotes testosterone secretion by Leydig cells. It also influences innate immunity to influenza A virus and CSF1-driven osteoclast precursor proliferation.
The HGNC name is neuromedin B, and UniProt lists the protein as Neuromedin-B. Older aliases and previous symbols include MGC2277, MGC3936 and MGC17211. Alternative splicing of the gene produces multiple transcript variants, so literature may refer to more than one transcript.
NCBI Gene notes that bombesin-like neuropeptides negatively regulate eating behaviour and that polymorphisms in NMB may be associated with hunger, weight gain and obesity. UniProt also reports roles in antiviral innate immunity and osteoclast precursor proliferation. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
NMBR, the receptor for NMB, together with steroidogenic, immune and osteoclast-related targets linked to NMB signalling.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P08949; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.