Localization of Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 immunoreactivity in rat duodenum.
The distribution of Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 (Met-ENK-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8) in the rat duodenum was determined using specific antibodies against Met-ENK-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 and the immunofluorescence microscope technique. Met-ENK-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 immunoreactive perikarya have been detected in the myenteric plexus. These neuronal cell bodies were large in diameter and round in shape. Met-ENK-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 immunostained nerve fibres were noted in both the circular muscle layer and, more abundantly, in interconnecting myenteric plexus nerve fibre bundles. These findings might indicate that Met-ENK-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 has important physiological roles as neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator in the human and mammalian gastrointestinal tract.
D000818:Animals; D003078:Colchicine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004386:Duodenum / Q000166:cytology*; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007106:Immune Sera; D008297:Male; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D007106:Immune Sera; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; C033453:enkephalin-Met, Arg(6)-Gly(7)-Leu(8)-; D003078:Colchicine