594857100043254ENSG00000214285ENSMUSG00000073804P0C0P6P0C0P8NM_001030013NM_001163611NP_001025184NP_001157083Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a neuropeptide found in human and mammalian brain, mainly produced by neurons in the amygdala and between Barrington's nucleus and the locus coeruleus, although NPS-responsive neurons extend projections into many other brain areas.

[5][6][7] NPS binds specifically to a G protein-coupled receptor, NPSR.

[8][9] Animal studies show that NPS suppresses anxiety and appetite, induces wakefulness[10] and hyperactivity, including hyper-sexuality, and plays a significant role in the extinction of conditioned fear.

[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] It has also been shown to significantly enhance dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway,[17] and inhibits motility and increases permeability in neurocrine fashion acting through NO in the myenteric plexus in rats and humans.

[20][21][22][23][24] Below are the sequences of mature neuropeptide S in several representative species in which it is expressed: According to Pfam's HMM logo, there is a conserved "KR" cleave site immediately N-terminal to the C-terminal mature peptide.