title: Distribution of neuropeptides in dorsal root ganglia of the rat; substance P, somatostatin and calcitonin gene-related peptide.
abstract: We have used sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays to examine the differential distributions of three neuropeptides, substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and somatostatin (SST), in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) from levels C1 to L6 of the spinal column. SP and CGRP content both varied in proportion to ganglion wet weight, with greatest levels in cervical and lumbar DRG. By contrast, SST content showed a distinct distribution, with maximum levels in rostral, cervical DRG. We speculate that the distribution of these neuropeptides may be due to the influence of target-derived neurotrophic factors, and may underlie the particular sensitivity of the hind limbs to adjuvant arthritis in the rat.
authors.affiliation: MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Seckl
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Harmar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; D013373:Substance P; D013004:Somatostatin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide