Vasoactive intestinal peptide and secretin produce long-term increases in tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the rat superior cervical ganglion.
Electrical stimulation of the preganglionic fibers innervating the rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) produces both short-term and long-term increases in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity that are not completely blocked by nicotinic antagonists. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and secretin, two neuropeptides known to produce short-term increases in TH activity, were examined for their ability to produce long-term increases in this enzyme activity. Culturing the SCG in the presence of either peptide produced a 30-50% increase in TH activity measured 2 days later. The results raise the possibility that one of these peptides or a related molecule participates in the transsynaptic induction of ganglionic TH.
McKeon
T W
TW
Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4975.
Zigmond
R E
RE
D000818:Animals; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012633:Secretin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012633:Secretin; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase