Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Release and metabolism of substance P in rat hypothalamus

Nature volume 264, pages 81–83 (1976)Cite this article

An Erratum to this article was published on 18 November 1976

Abstract

THE isolation and characterisation of the undecapeptide substance P from extracts of central nervous tissue has promoted renewed interest in the function of this compound in the central nervous system (CNS)1. Tn addition, the development of a sensitive and specific radioimmuno-assay2 and complementary immunohistochemical techniques3 has provided evidence for a differential distribution of substance P in the CNS4,5. Application of substance P to the spinal cord of neonatal rats has been shown to produce a potent depolarising action on motoneurones6. Elsewhere in the CNS iontopheric application of substance P elicits a characteristic neuronal excitation which although slow in onset is long lasting7–10. If substance P is to be considered as a neurotransmitter in the CNS, demonstration of its release from nerve terminals in response to physiological depolarisation is the next essential prerequisite11. We have therefore studied the release of substance P from rat hypothalamus, and have demonstrated a potassium-evoked and calcium-dependent release of immunoreactive material. In addition preliminary results suggest that metabolic degradation rather than tissue uptake is responsible for the inactivation of substance P after its release from brain tissue.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Leeman, S. E., and Mroz, E., Life Sci., 15, 2033–2044 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Powell, D., Leeman, S., Tregear, G. W., Niall, H. D., and Potts, J. T., Nature new Biol., 241, 252–254 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Nilsson, G., Hökfelt, T., and Pernow, B., Med. Biol., 52, 424–427 (1974).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Hökfelt, T., Kellerth, J. O., Nilsson, G., and Pernow, B., Science, 190, 889–890 (1975).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Takahashi, T., Konishi, S., Powell, D., Leeman, S. E., and Otsuka, M., Brain Res., 73, 59–69 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Otsuka, M., and Konishi, S., Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol., 40, 135–143 (1976).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Phillis, J. W., and Limacher, J. J., Brain Res., 69, 158–163 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Krnjević, K., and Morris, M. E., Can. J. Physiol. Pharmac., 52, 736–744 (1974).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Walker, R. J., Kemp, J. A., Yajima, H., Kitagawa, K., and Woodruff, G. N., Experientia, 32, 214–215 (1976).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Davies, J., and Dray, A., Brain Res., 107, 623–627 (1976).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Otsuka, M., Jap J. Pharmac., 26, Suppl. (in the press).

  12. Kanazawa, I., and Jessell, T., Brain Res. (in the press).

  13. Mulder, A. H., and Snyder, S. H., Brain Res., 76, 297–308 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Iversen, L. L., Mitchell, J. F., and Srinivasan, V., J. Physiol., Lond., 212, 519–534, (1971).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Geffen, L. B., Jessell, T. M., Cuello, A. C., and Iversen, L. L., Nature, 260, 258–260 (1976).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Benuck, M., and Marks, N., Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun., 65, 153–160 (1975).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Cleugh, J., Gaddum, J. H., Mitchell, A. A., Smith, M. W., and Whittaker, V. P., J. Physiol., Lond., 170, 69–85 (1964).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Duffy, M. J., Mulhall, J., and Powell, D., J. Neurochem., 25, 305–307 (1975).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Angelucci, L., Br. J. Pharmac., 11, 161–170 (1956).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Shaw, J. E., and Ramwell, P. W., Am. J. Physiol., 215, 262–267 (1968).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Otsuka, M., Abstr. Nobel Symp., 37, Substance P, (1976).

  22. Glowinski, J., and Iversen, L. L., J. Neurochem., 13, 655–669 (1966).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. I. KANAZAWA

    Present address: Department of Neurology, Institute of Brain Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QD, UK

    L. L. IVERSEN, T. JESSELL & I. KANAZAWA

Authors
  1. L. L. IVERSEN
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. JESSELL
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. KANAZAWA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

IVERSEN, L., JESSELL, T. & KANAZAWA, I. Release and metabolism of substance P in rat hypothalamus. Nature 264, 81–83 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/264081a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/264081a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing