Page data last changed: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.
One of the most abundant neuropeptides in the mammalian brain.
Also known as: NPY
Part of the Neuropeptides & signaling cluster
Overview
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36-amino-acid neuropeptide widely distributed in the nervous system. Research examines its roles in appetite, stress responses, and energy balance through a family of Y receptors.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Central and peripheral nervous system
Primary research or clinical context: Neuroscience and metabolism research
Receptor family
NPY signals through several G-protein-coupled receptors (Y1, Y2, Y4, Y5). Studying which receptor subtype mediates a given effect is a central theme in NPY neuroscience, because the same peptide can produce different outcomes depending on receptor and brain region.
Why it is studied
As one of the most abundant peptides in the brain, NPY is a reference molecule for feeding, circadian, and stress-related research. This page describes physiology only and does not present NPY as a treatment for any condition.
Sequence of the selected reference form
Sequence backbone for the reference form: Human neuropeptide Y(1-36), Met17 and C-terminal Tyr amide. Termini, stereochemistry and modifications are described below.
YPSKPDNPGEDAPAEDMARYYSALRHYINLITRQRY
Analyze sequences in the playground →Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Source-supported reference
Select human NPY with Met17 and its native Tyr36 amide. The reviewed human precursor and independently inspected PubChem graph agree. Radioactive/tracer names in pooled synonyms do not apply: the selected graph is the unlabelled parent, with no iodine atom or isotope label.
- Molecular form
- Human neuropeptide Y(1-36), Met17 and C-terminal Tyr amide
- Species
- Homo sapiens
- Termini (N / C)
- Free alpha-amino group of L-tyrosine / L-tyrosine carboxamide (-CONH2)
Average reference mass · Molecular identity assessment: 2026-10-05
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
- PubChem PUG molecular properties and explicit molecular graph · 2026-10-05
- PubChem PUG stereochemistry and normalized structure identity · 2026-10-05
- Reviewed UniProt molecular sequence and processed-chain annotations · 2026-10-05
- Cloning, characterization, and DNA sequence of a human cDNA encoding neuropeptide tyrosine. · 2026-10-05
Tyr-Pro-Ser-Lys-Pro-Asp-Asn-Pro-Gly-Glu-Asp-Ala-Pro-Ala-Glu-Asp-Met-Ala-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Ser-Ala-Leu-Arg-His-Tyr-Ile-Asn-Leu-Ile-Thr-Arg-Gln-Arg-Tyr-NH2
- Molecular formula
- C189H285N55O57S
- Average reference mass
- ≈ 4,272
- Backbone
- Human neuropeptide Y(1-36), Met17 and C-terminal Tyr amide
- C-terminus
- L-tyrosine carboxamide (-CONH2)
- PubChem CID: 44288922
Chemistry values: curated profile, PubChem.
Clinical development snapshot
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 17 registered studies with “Neuropeptide Y” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-09-06). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.
| NCT | Title | Phase | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT04838678 | Sympathetic Transduction in Obesity-associated Hypertension (OB-HTN) | Early phase 1 | recruiting | 2026-09-03 |
| NCT07312292 | Radioembolization With Intra-arterial Angiotensin II to Improve Tumor-absorbed Dose (RADIANT) | Phase 2 | recruiting | 2026-03-30 |
| NCT06990854 | Electroacupuncture for PHN: Efficacy and Biomarker Evaluation in a Multicenter, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Tr | Not applicable | not yet recruiting | 2025-07-09 |
| NCT03720522 | The Bern Heart and Brain Interaction Study - Interaction Between Brain and Heart in Acute Ischemic Stroke | — | recruiting | 2024-11-22 |
| NCT06606236 | Neuropeptide Y Regulates Neurogenic Pulp Inflammation | Not applicable | completed | 2024-09-23 |
| NCT03644927 | Exercise Maintenance in Chronic Pain and PTSD | Not applicable | terminated | 2023-01-25 |
Neuropeptide Y — reconstitution calculator
Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
Reference form: Human neuropeptide Y(1-36), Met17 and C-terminal Tyr amideAverage reference mass: 4,272 Da
Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.
Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.
Change log
Dated observations from the data pipeline (registry flags, trial footprints, identifiers) and editorial reviews of this profile.
- ChemistryPubChem formula updated to C190H287N55O57.
FAQ about Neuropeptide Y
What is Neuropeptide Y?+
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36-amino-acid neuropeptide widely distributed in the nervous system. Research examines its roles in appetite, stress responses, and energy balance through a family of Y receptors.
What Canadian product status is recorded for Neuropeptide Y?+
Canadian product status for Neuropeptide Y has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the length of the selected reference form for Neuropeptide Y?+
The selected reference form (Human neuropeptide Y(1-36), Met17 and C-terminal Tyr amide) has 36 residues or residue-derived units in its backbone. Other forms in this family may have a different length.
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Qian et al. (2024). Intermittent Fasting Targets Osteocyte Neuropeptide Y to Relieve Osteoarthritis. Adv Sci (Weinh)
- 2.DiBona (2002). Neuropeptide Y. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol
- 3.Kautz et al. (2017). Neuropeptide Y, resilience, and PTSD therapeutics. Neurosci Lett
- 4.Botelho et al. (2015). Neuropeptide Y: An Anti-Aging Player?. Trends Neurosci
- 5.Wasinski et al. (2022). Neuropeptide Y Neurons Integrate the Metabolic and Cognitive Effects of Brain Insulin Signaling. J Integr Neurosci
- 6.Park et al. (2017). The fat regulator neuropeptide Y and caloric restriction. Aging (Albany NY)
- 7.Diaz-delCastillo et al. (2018). Neuropeptide Y and its Involvement in Chronic Pain. Neuroscience
- 8.Fonseca et al. (2022). PET Imaging of the Neuropeptide Y System: A Systematic Review. Molecules
- 9.PubChem — compound summary for Neuropeptide Y (CID 16132350)
- 10.UniProt — Pro-neuropeptide Y, human (P01303)
- 11.Wikipedia — Neuropeptide Y