Development of methionine-enkephalin in microdissected areas of the rabbit brain.
Microdissected areas of the rabbit brain were isolated at prenatal day E-29, postnatal days P-3, 7, 14, 21, 2 months and adults. Methionine-enkephalin (ME) was assayed by RIA and ME concentration [ME] was expressed relative to the protein content of the extracted brain tissues. In brain nuclei with important roles in respiratory control [ME] was higher in prenatal and early postnatal life than in adults. In contrast, the prenatal and early postnatal [ME] levels in other nuclei were lower than or equal to adult values. These data suggest an important and changing role for ME in respiratory control throughout development. Early high [ME] levels within brainstem respiratory control nuclei may contribute to the newborn's increased susceptibility to respiratory depression.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000032:analysis; D004027:Diencephalon / Q000032:analysis; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000032:analysis*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011817:Rabbits; D013687:Telencephalon / Q000032:analysis
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine