Biomaterial Database

Distribution of some peptides (substance P, [Leu]enkephalin, [Met]enkephalin) in the brain stem and spinal cord of a lizard, Varanus exanthematicus. 1986

J G Wolters, and H J ten Donkelaar, and A A Verhofstad

The distribution of substance P-like and [Leu]- and [Met]enkephalin-immunoreactive cell bodies, fibers and terminal structures in the brain stem and spinal cord of a lizard, Varanus exanthematicus, was studied with the indirect immunofluorescence technique, using antibodies to these peptides. Substance P-like immunoreactive cell bodies were found in the hypothalamus, in a periventricular cell group in the rostral mesencephalon, in the interpeduncular nucleus, in and ventral to the descending nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, in and directly ventral to the nucleus of the solitary tract, scattered in the brain stem reticular formation and in the trigeminal and spinal ganglia. A rather widespread distribution of substance P-like immunoreactivity was found in the brain stem and spinal cord, mainly concentrated in striatotegmental projections related to visceral and/or taste information (nucleus of the solitary tract, parabrachial region), in the descending nucleus of the trigeminal nerve and in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (areas I and II). In the spinal cord also around the central canal (area X and adjacent parts of area V-VI) a distinct substance P innervation was found. The ventral horn receives only a very sparse substance P innervation. The distribution of [Leu]- and [Met]enkephalin in the brain stem and spinal cord of Varanus exanthematicus is less impressive than that of substance P. Enkephalinergic cell bodies were found particularly in the caudal hypothalamus. Small populations of enkephalinergic cell bodies were found in the vestibular nuclear complex, in the nucleus of the solitary tract, in and around the descending nucleus of the trigeminal nerve and throughout the rhombencephalic reticular formation. Enkephalins are likely to be present in efferent projections of the striatum, in projections related to taste and/or visceral information (nucleus of the solitary tract, parabrachial region) and in descending pathways to the spinal cord. Enkephalinergic fibers are present in the lateral funiculus and enkephalin-immunoreactive cell bodies are found in the reticular formation, particularly the inferior reticular nucleus which is known to project to the spinal cord. In the spinal cord enkephalinergic terminal structures were found especially in the superficial layer of the dorsal horn (areas I and II) and around the central canal. The ventral horn including the motoneuron area receives only a relatively sparse enkephalinergic innervation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008116	Lizards	Reptiles within the order Squamata that generally possess limbs, moveable EYELIDS, and EXTERNAL EAR openings, although there are some species which lack one or more of these structures.	Chameleons,Geckos,Chameleon,Gecko,Lizard
D001931	Brain Mapping	Imaging techniques used to colocalize sites of brain functions or physiological activity with brain structures.	Brain Electrical Activity Mapping,Functional Cerebral Localization,Topographic Brain Mapping,Brain Mapping, Topographic,Functional Cerebral Localizations,Mapping, Brain,Mapping, Topographic Brain
D001933	Brain Stem	The part of the brain that connects the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES with the SPINAL CORD. It consists of the MESENCEPHALON; PONS; and MEDULLA OBLONGATA.	Brainstem,Truncus Cerebri,Brain Stems,Brainstems,Cerebri, Truncus,Cerebrus, Truncus,Truncus Cerebrus
D004743	Enkephalin, Leucine	One of the endogenous pentapeptides with morphine-like activity. It differs from MET-ENKEPHALIN in the LEUCINE at position 5. Its first four amino acid sequence is identical to the tetrapeptide sequence at the N-terminal of BETA-ENDORPHIN.	Leucine Enkephalin,5-Leucine Enkephalin,Leu(5)-Enkephalin,Leu-Enkephalin,5 Leucine Enkephalin,Enkephalin, 5-Leucine,Leu Enkephalin
D004744	Enkephalin, Methionine	One of the endogenous pentapeptides with morphine-like activity. It differs from LEU-ENKEPHALIN by the amino acid METHIONINE in position 5. Its first four amino acid sequence is identical to the tetrapeptide sequence at the N-terminal of BETA-ENDORPHIN.	Methionine Enkephalin,5-Methionine Enkephalin,Met(5)-Enkephalin,Met-Enkephalin,5 Methionine Enkephalin,Enkephalin, 5-Methionine,Met Enkephalin
D005455	Fluorescent Antibody Technique	Test for tissue antigen using either a direct method, by conjugation of antibody with fluorescent dye (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, DIRECT) or an indirect method, by formation of antigen-antibody complex which is then labeled with fluorescein-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibody (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, INDIRECT). The tissue is then examined by fluorescence microscopy.	Antinuclear Antibody Test, Fluorescent,Coon's Technique,Fluorescent Antinuclear Antibody Test,Fluorescent Protein Tracing,Immunofluorescence Technique,Coon's Technic,Fluorescent Antibody Technic,Immunofluorescence,Immunofluorescence Technic,Antibody Technic, Fluorescent,Antibody Technics, Fluorescent,Antibody Technique, Fluorescent,Antibody Techniques, Fluorescent,Coon Technic,Coon Technique,Coons Technic,Coons Technique,Fluorescent Antibody Technics,Fluorescent Antibody Techniques,Fluorescent Protein Tracings,Immunofluorescence Technics,Immunofluorescence Techniques,Protein Tracing, Fluorescent,Protein Tracings, Fluorescent,Technic, Coon's,Technic, Fluorescent Antibody,Technic, Immunofluorescence,Technics, Fluorescent Antibody,Technics, Immunofluorescence,Technique, Coon's,Technique, Fluorescent Antibody,Technique, Immunofluorescence,Techniques, Fluorescent Antibody,Techniques, Immunofluorescence,Tracing, Fluorescent Protein,Tracings, Fluorescent Protein
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013116	Spinal Cord	A cylindrical column of tissue that lies within the vertebral canal. It is composed of WHITE MATTER and GRAY MATTER.	Coccygeal Cord,Conus Medullaris,Conus Terminalis,Lumbar Cord,Medulla Spinalis,Myelon,Sacral Cord,Thoracic Cord,Coccygeal Cords,Conus Medullari,Conus Terminali,Cord, Coccygeal,Cord, Lumbar,Cord, Sacral,Cord, Spinal,Cord, Thoracic,Cords, Coccygeal,Cords, Lumbar,Cords, Sacral,Cords, Spinal,Cords, Thoracic,Lumbar Cords,Medulla Spinali,Medullari, Conus,Medullaris, Conus,Myelons,Sacral Cords,Spinal Cords,Spinali, Medulla,Spinalis, Medulla,Terminali, Conus,Terminalis, Conus,Thoracic Cords
D013373	Substance P	An eleven-amino acid neurotransmitter that appears in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is involved in transmission of PAIN, causes rapid contractions of the gastrointestinal smooth muscle, and modulates inflammatory and immune responses.	Euler-Gaddum Substance P,Hypothalamic Substance P,SP(1-11),Euler Gaddum Substance P,Substance P, Euler-Gaddum,Substance P, Hypothalamic