REVIEW article
Front. Endocrinol.
Sec. Neuroendocrine Science
This article is part of the Research TopicNeuromodulation of mood and eating behaviorView all 8 articles
Neuropeptide TIP39 as a Pluripotent Brain Molecule and Its Potential Functions in Postpartum Depression
Provisionally accepted
- Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Abstract: Background: The tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues (TIP39) is a small peptide first extracted in 1997, which has garnered limited research attention. It belongs to the parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related peptides family and specifically binds the parathyroid receptor type 2 (PTH2R). It is gaining attention for its roles in mood regulation, maternal behavior, and social functions. Its potential in modulating these processes possibly positions TIP39 as an underexplored candidate for exploring complex physiological functions of postpartum depression. Aims: Given the accumulating evidence of TIP39's involvement in various regulatory functions, especially in this review aims to investigate its potential as a common pathway on postpartum depression (PPD)-related symptoms including depressive mood and maternal behaviors. Specifically, the focus is on exploring the possibility of TIP39 as a key modulator in the pathophysiology of PPD, with the goal of identifying a new entry point for the treatment of this mental health disorder. Conclusions: The multifunctional nature of TIP39, as evidenced by its roles in diverse physiological processes, opens up a promising avenue for further investigation. The investigation of TIP39's role in mood regulation and maternal behavior provides a possible rationale for its consideration as a therapeutic target for PPD. This review is a tentative step to bridge TIP39 and PPD symptoms, with the ultimate goal of providing a new sight for remedy of this prevalent and often debilitating disorder.
Keywords: the tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues, PTH2, PTH2R, postpartum depression, Hypothalamic–pituitary axis
Received: 27 Jul 2025; Accepted: 10 Dec 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Wang, Liu, Tang, Liao, Liu, Yang, Wei and Fu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Rao Fu
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