Immunohistochemical evidence for the existence of novel mammalian neuropeptides related to the Hydra GLW-amide neuropeptide family.
The GLW-amide family is a neuropeptide family found in cnidarian species and is characterized by the C-terminal amino acid sequence -Gly-Leu-Trp-NH(2). To detect mammalian peptides structurally related to the GLW-amide family, we examined rat brain by immunohistochemistry with an anti-GLW-amide antibody. GLW-amide-like immunoreactivity (GLW-amide-LI) was observed in thin varicose fibers in some regions of the brain. Most neurons showing GLW-amide-LI were observed in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus, and trigeminal/spinal ganglia. These results strongly suggest that the rat nervous system contains as yet unidentified GLW-amide-like peptides, and that GLW-amide-LI in the brain is a good marker for ascending projections from mesopontine cholinergic neurons.
Department of Nutrition and Health Science, Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka, 813-8529, Japan.
Kayoko
K
Hamaguchi-Hamada
Yuko
Y
Fujisawa
Osamu
O
Koizumi
Youjiro
Y
Muneoka
Nobuo
N
Okado
Shun
S
Hamada
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000378:metabolism; D006829:Hydra / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D009479:Neuropeptides