title: Neurotransmitter/neuropeptide interactions in the regulation of neurohypophyseal hormone release.
abstract: Regulation of neurohypophyseal hormone release reflects the convergence of a large number of afferent pathways on the vasopressin (VP)- and oxytocin-producing neurons. These pathways utilize a broad range of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. In this review, the mechanisms by which this information is coordinated into appropriate physiological responses is discussed with a focus on the responses to agents that are coreleased from A1 catecholamine nerve terminals in the supraoptic nucleus. The A1 pathway transmits hemodynamic information to the vasopressin neurons by releasing several neuroactive agents including ATP, norepinephrine, neuropeptide Y, and substance P. These substances stimulate VP release from explants of the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system and certain combinations of these agents elicit potent but selective synergism. Evaluation of the signal cascades elicited by these agents provides insights into mechanisms underlying these synergistic interactions and suggests mechanisms responsible for coordinated responses of the VP neurons to activation of a range of ion-gated ion channel and G-protein-coupled receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, USA.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Sladek
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kapoor
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013373:Substance P / Q000502:physiology; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D010656:Phenylephrine; D013373:Substance P; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D009638:Norepinephrine