title: Mast cell activation--a receptor-independent mode of substance P action?
abstract: Substance P is a representative of a group of amphiphilic neuropeptides which act as mast cell secretagogues. Our experiments with some new substance P derivatives suggest that these effects are dependent on two structural elements: (i) a hydrophobic chain which is not essentially a peptide, and (ii) a hydrophilic part with two positively charged amino acids. The mast cell triggering effect is unlikely to be mediated by a selective substance P receptor, but has strong similarities to the mode of action of polycations.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D013373:Substance P