Neuromedin U is necessary for normal gastrointestinal motility and is regulated by serotonin.
Neuromedin U (NMU) was originally isolated from porcine spinal cord and shown to be distributed in numerous tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract. However, little is known about the role of NMU in the regulation of gastrointestinal functions. We established a radioimmunoassay system that is exceptionally specific for mouse NMU and found high NMU content in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the Auerbach's and Meissner's plexi, suggesting a possible role of NMU in gastrointestinal motility. NMU promoted small intestinal transit, and NMU deficiency resulted in lowered intestinal motility rate and diminished the effect of serotonin-induced defecation and diarrhea. These results indicate that NMU promotes intestinal transit and maintains intestinal homeostasis.
Nakashima
Yoshiki
Y
Molecular Genetics, Institute of Life Science, Kurume University, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
Ida
Takanori
T
Sato
Takahiro
T
Nakamura
Yuki
Y
Takahashi
Tomoko
T
Mori
Kenji
K
Miyazato
Mikiya
M
Kangawa
Kenji
K
Kusukawa
Jingo
J
Kojima
Masayasu
M
D000818:Animals; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000503:physiopathology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology
D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D009479:Neuropeptides; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; C056900:neuromedin U; D012701:Serotonin; D002217:Carbachol