Endocytosis of the tachykinin neuropeptide, neurokinin B, in astrocytes and its role in cellular copper uptake

Neurokinin B (NKB) outcompetes the prion protein (PrPC) for copper and undergoes rapid endocytosis, likely mediated by the G protein-coupled neurokinin 3 receptor receptor. This process suggests a mechanism for copper uptake that avoids cytosolic exposure and highlights how NKB could be involved in synaptic copper homeostasis.172