Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6271606 | Neuroscience | 2015 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
Phoenixin (PNX) is a 14-amino acid amidated peptide (PNX-14) or an N-terminal extended 20-residue amidated peptide (PNX-20) recently identified in neural and non-neural tissue. Mass spectrometry analysis identified a major peak corresponding to PNX-14, with negligible PNX-20, in mouse spinal cord extracts. Using a previously characterized antiserum that recognized both PNX-14 and PNX-20, PNX-immunoreactivity (irPNX) was detected in a population of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells and in cell processes densely distributed to the superficial layers of the dorsal horn; irPNX cell processes were also detected in the skin. The retrograde tracer, Fluorogold, injected subcutaneously (s.c.) to the back of the cervical and thoracic spinal cord of mice, labeled a population of DRG, some of which were also irPNX. PNX-14 (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg) injected s.c.to the nape of the neck provoked dose-dependent repetitive scratching bouts directed to the back of the neck with the hindpaws. The number of scratching bouts varied from 16 to 95 in 30 min, commencing within 5 min post-injection and lasted 10-15 min. Pretreatment of mice at â20 min with nalfurafine (20 μg/kg, s.c.), the kappa opioid receptor agonist, significantly reduced the number of bouts induced by PNX-14 (4 mg/kg) compared with that of saline-pretreated mice. Our results suggest that the peptide, PNX-14, serves as one of the endogenous signal molecules transducing itch sensation in the mouse.
Keywords
GRPRdorsal root ganglion/gangliaPNXPruritogenneuromedin B5′-guanidinonaltrindoleNMBnorBNINppbPBSGRPnorbinaltorphiminei.c.v.DRGFITCCGRPintracerebroventriculardorsal root ganglionBombesinItchPhoenixinfluorescein isothiocyanateSubstance PPhosphate-buffered salineNalfurafinePrimary afferent neurongastrin-releasing peptidecalcitonin gene-related peptidekappa opioid receptorgastrin-releasing peptide receptor
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Authors
A. Cowan, R.-M. Lyu, Y.-H. Chen, S.L. Dun, J.-K. Chang, N.J. Dun,