12 research outputs found
Action of presynaptic phospholipase neurotoxins on synaptosomes from Torpedo electric organ
Inositol lipid breakdown in receptor-mediated responses of sympathetic ganglia and sympathetically innervated tissues
This chapter discusses inositol lipid breakdown in receptor-mediated responses of sympathetic ganglia and sympathetically innervated tissues
Spin-Label Characterisation of the Lamellar-to-Hexagonal (HII) Phase Transition in Egg Phosphatidylethanolamine Aqueous Dispersions
An Electron-Spin-Resonance Spin-Label Study of the Interaction of Purified Mojave Toxin with Synaptosomal Membranes from Rat Brain
A vasopressin-like peptide in the mammalian sympathetic nervous system
Vasopressin was among the first mammalian hormonal peptides to be identified and to have its structure determined. Its only undisputed physiological role is as a circulating neurohypophyseal antidiuretic hormone. Other notable effects of vasopressin on peripheral tissues include contraction of vascular smooth muscle, leading to elevation of blood pressure, and activation of glycogenolysis in liver. It has long been clear that vascular smooth muscle and hepatocytes are relatively insensitive to the low concentrations of vasopressin normally present in the circulation, and the physiological significance of their responses has therefore been in doubt. We now report that a new bioactive and immunoreactive vasopressin-like peptide (VLP) is widely distributed in the sympathetic nervous system of mammals, both in the principal noradrenergic neurones of ganglia and in nerve fibres innervating peripheral tissues. In addition to other peptides described in the mammalian sympathetic nervous system, VLP must be considered as a possible mediator of the non-adrenergic responses to sympathetic activation. Moreover, many of the effects previously attributed to circulating vasopressin may be neurally evoked