Regional distribution of a novel analgesic dipeptide kyotorphin (Tyr-Arg) in the rat brain and spinal cord.
Using high performance liquid chromatography, we measured kyotorphin content in discrete regions of the rat brain and spinal cord in an attempt to clarify its physiological significance. Higher concentrations of the dipeptide were found in the midbrain, pons plus medulla oblongata and dorsal cord, which are the most sensitive sites for the microinjection of morphine and/or electrical stimulation-induced analgesia. Kyotorphin may play a physiological role in pain control in the central nervous system.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*
D004151:Dipeptides; D004723:Endorphins; C019448:kyotorphin