title: Fluorescent vasotocin conjugate for identification of the target cells for brain actions of vasotocin.
abstract: The effects of neuropeptides on the brain are a major focus of neuroendocrine research, and little progress has been made in the identification of the target neurons for many neuropeptides. Arginine8-vasotocin (AVT) is a neurohypophyseal peptide present in nonmammalian vertebrates that controls many neural and behavioral functions. Here we describe synthesis and functional characterization of an AVT-Oregon green conjugate 1 (AVT-OG 1) that can be used in vivo to identify AVT target neurons. Application of AVT-OG 1 to the brainstem of an amphibian produces rapid, endosome-like internalization together with typical AVT-like neurophysiological effects. Thus, preparation of AVT-OG 1, which preserves the peptide's neurophysiological effects, is useful as a fluorescent marker for AVT target neurons. Consequently, AVT-OG 1 conjugate will have considerable utility for analyzing the neural actions of AVT in the intact brain.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program, School of Pharmacy, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071-3166.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: E Kurt
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Dolence
authors.forename: Zhaojie
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000737:chemistry; D001692:Biological Transport; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009482:Neurophysiology; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin / Q000378:metabolism; D012455:Salamandridae; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014668:Vasotocin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008024:Ligands; C436864:Oregon Green 488 carboxylic acid; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin; C034862:vasotocin receptor; D001120:Arginine; D014668:Vasotocin