In this study, the full length of turbot NPY cDNA was cloned using RT-PCR and rapid-amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Turbot NPY cDNA is 729bp with a 5´-untranslated region (UTR), 135bp 3´-UTR and 299bp ORF. The open reading frame encodes a 99 amino acid NPY. The first 28 amino acids constitute the signal sequence followed by the 36 amino acid mature peptide. Turbot NPY share a 53.9–98.0% identity with NPY from other fish, especially, Turbot NPY share a 97–98.0% identity with NPY from other flounder (Japanese flounder, winter flounder).Using real-time PCR to analysis NPY expression in turbot. Tissue distribution studies show that NPY mRNA is expressed in brain, in particular the hypothalamic, and in peripheral tissues. During food deprivation, the NPY undergo significant change in expression (P<0.05), with NPY levels being elevated first, then decreased, and being significantly increased, maintain a high level of expression, then decreased again during food deprivation. Expression level was significantly higher with refeeding after fasting than the normal feeding, the longer of food deprivation, the higher of expression level. But the expression level of 2h after refeeding will fall again to a similar level. Our results suggest that NPY is conserved peptides that might be involved in the regulation of feeding and other physiological functions in turbot.