Opiate peptide modulation of amino acid responses suggests novel form of neuronal communication.
Mouse spinal neurons grown in tissue culture were used to study the electrophysiological pharmacology of the opiate peptide leucine-enkephalin. Enkephalin depressed glutamate-evoked responses in a noncompetitive manner independent of any other effects on membrane properties. The results demonstrate a neuromodulatory action of opiate peptide functionally distinct from the conventional neurotransmitter class of operation.
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004723:Endorphins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D005971:Glutamates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007478:Iontophoresis; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D013116:Spinal Cord; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*
D004723:Endorphins; D004745:Enkephalins; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D005971:Glutamates; D009270:Naloxone