The preparation of specifically iodine-125 (125I)-labeled peptides of high purity and specific activity represents a key tool for the detailed characterization of their binding properties in interaction with their binding partners. Early synthetic methods for the incorporation of iodine faced challenges such as harsh reaction conditions, the use of strong oxidants and low reproducibility. Herein, we review well-established radiolabeling strategies available to incorporate radionuclide into a protein of interest, and our long-term experience with a mild, simple and generally applicable technique of 125I late-stage-labeling of biomolecules using the Pierce iodination reagent for the direct solid-phase oxidation of radioactive iodide. General recommendations, tips, and details of optimized chromatographic conditions to isolate pure, specifically 125I-mono-labeled biomolecules are illustrated on a diverse series of (poly)peptides, ranging up to 7.6 kDa and 67 amino acids (aa). These series include peptides that contain at least one tyrosine or histidine residue, along with those featuring disulfide crosslinking or lipophilic derivatization. This mild and straightforward late-stage-labeling technique is easily applicable to longer and more sensitive proteins, as demonstrated in the cases of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGF-BP-3) (29 kDa and 264 aa) and the acid-labile subunit (ALS) (93 kDa and 578 aa).

• Keywords
• 125I-labeling of peptides, High specific activity, Intramolecular effect of 125I decay, Late-stage peptide labeling, Radiochemical stability, Radiohalogenated prosthetic groups, Site-specific labeling,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Since 1975, the incidence of obesity has increased to epidemic proportions, and the number of patients with obesity has quadrupled. Obesity is a major risk factor for developing other serious diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Recent epidemiologic studies have defined obesity as a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other types of dementia. Despite all these serious comorbidities associated with obesity, there is still a lack of effective antiobesity treatment. Promising candidates for the treatment of obesity are anorexigenic neuropeptides, which are peptides produced by neurons in brain areas implicated in food intake regulation, such as the hypothalamus or the brainstem. These peptides efficiently reduce food intake and body weight. Moreover, because of the proven interconnection between obesity and the risk of developing AD, the potential neuroprotective effects of these two agents in animal models of neurodegeneration have been examined. The objective of this review was to explore anorexigenic neuropeptides produced and acting within the brain, emphasizing their potential not only for the treatment of obesity but also for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

• Keywords
• Alzheimer´s-like pathology, anorexigenic neuropeptides, antiobesity treatment, neuroprotection,
• MeSH
• Alzheimer Disease drug therapy   metabolism   pathology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Hypothalamus drug effects   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Anti-Obesity Agents * pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Brain drug effects   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Neurodegenerative Diseases drug therapy   metabolism   prevention & control   MeSH
• Neuropeptides * metabolism   pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Neuroprotective Agents * pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Obesity * drug therapy   metabolism   MeSH
• Eating drug effects   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Anti-Obesity Agents * MeSH
• Neuropeptides * MeSH
• Neuroprotective Agents * MeSH