Newly discovered tachykinins raise new questions about their peripheral roles and the tachykinin nomenclature.
The tachykinin family has recently been extended by the discovery of a third tachykinin gene encoding previously unknown mammalian tachykinins (hemokinin 1, endokinin A and endokinin B) that have a widespread peripheral distribution and a tachykinin NK(1) receptor selectivity. This and the identification of other tachykinin-like peptides such as C14TKL-1 and virokinin raise many questions about the roles played by tachykinins in peripheral tissues and render terms such as 'neurokinins' and 'SP receptor' inappropriate.
Patacchini
Riccardo
R
Pharmacology Department, Menarini Ricerche, Via Rismondo 12/A, 50131, Florence, Italy. chimfarm@menarini-ricerche.it
Lecci
Alessandro
A
Holzer
Peter
P
Maggi
Carlo Alberto
CA
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D013045:Species Specificity; D015320:Tachykinins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009626:Terminology as Topic
D015320:Tachykinins