Abstract
ANTISERA were raised against endomorphin-2, a recently isolated endogenous opioid peptide that binds potently and selectively to the μ- opioid receptor. When sections of spinal cord were stained immunocytochemically, a dense plexus of fibres and varicosities was visualized in the superficial dorsal horn of rats and one monkey. Following unilateral multiple dorsal rhizotomy, labeling for endomorphin-2 was markedly reduced ipsilateral to the lesion. In sections stained for both endomorphin- 2 and CGRP, double-labeling was observed. Taken together, these data suggest that endomorphin-2 occurs in small diameter primary afferent fibres in rodents and primates. It appears possible that the release of neurotransmitters from nociceptive primary afferents might be regulated by release of endomorphin-2 from primary afferent terminals.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 385-389 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Neuroreport |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 16 1998 |
Keywords
- CGRP
- Endogenous opioid
- Pain
- Spinal cord
- μ-opioid receptor