Enkephalinase (EC 3.4.24.11) is highly localized to a striatonigral pathway in rat brain.
Autoradiographic visualization of enkephalinase (membrane metalloendopeptidase, EC 3.4.24.11) in sagittal sections of rat brain using a 125I-labelled monoclonal antibody showed the presence of a dense immunoreactivity in a tract joining the striatum to the substantia nigra. Unilateral kainate injections into the striatum elicited a strong ipsilateral decrease in enkephalinase activity and immunoreactivity in both the injected area and substantia nigra, particularly its pars compacta. This demonstrates the presence of enkephalinase all along fibers of a striatonigral pathway.
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000201:enzymology*; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D015260:Neprilysin; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000201:enzymology; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D051381:Rats; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000201:enzymology*
D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D013373:Substance P; D010450:Endopeptidases; D015260:Neprilysin; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase; D007608:Kainic Acid