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The decapeptide neurokinin B (DMHDFFVGLM-NH2) is a member of a neuropeptide family that includes neurokinins A, B and substance P which each have a preference for a specific tachykinin receptor.Neurokinin B appears to be involved in a number of neuromodutatory and neuroprotective functions and was recently shown to be involved in the regulation of reproductive function.Neurokinin B expression is altered in several neurodegenerative disorders, most predominantly Alzheimers Disease, and some recent studies have shown that neurokinin B can protect cells from the toxic effects of Aβ peptides.A key feature of Alzheimers Disease, and a number of amyloidogenic disorders, is the involvement of metal ions, including redox active copper.Both the Alzheimers precursor protein and the Aβ peptides are known copper binding proteins and misregulation of copper in Alzheimers disease may in part contribute to toxicity.Intriguingly, neurokinin A was recently shown to be able to bind copper.However, no studies have investigated neurokinin B, yet it is unique amongst the neurokinins in that it contains a classic Amino Terminal Copper (Ⅱ) and Nickel (ATCUN) binding motif that requires a histidine at position 3.Using a range of spectroscopic methods we show that neurokinin B binds Cu(Ⅱ) via the ATCUN motif and that this binding has a profound effect on the peptides structure.In addition we investigate if copper binding can alter the ability of neurokinin B to trigger calcium release from intracellular stores.These studies will help us further understand the role ofneurokinin B in brain function.