Functional corticotropin-releasing factor receptors in neonatal rat spinal cord.
The present study localized corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors and studied the action of CRF in the neonatal rat spinal cord preparation. Lumbar CRF receptors were present in highest concentrations in laminae I and II with progressively lower concentrations in lamina IX and intermediate and central zones respectively. CRF directly and indirectly depolarized lumbar motoneurons in a concentration-related manner and the putative receptor antagonist, alpha helical oCRF(9-41), partially blocked the depolarizing response to CRF. The electrophysiological responses to CRF and the distribution of receptors within the spinal cord suggest that CRF may play a physiological role in regulating spinal cord reflex function.
Bell
J A
JA
Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224.
de Souza
E B
EB
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001345:Autoradiography / Q000379:methods; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D013373:Substance P; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone