Biomaterial Database

Postganglionic sympathetic neurons express endothelin. 1998

D H Damon

Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, Burlington 05405, USA.

Endothelin (ET) is a peptide originally identified as an endothelial-derived vasoconstrictor. It is now recognized that ET is produced by and acts on many other tissues including the brain and spinal cord, where it is believed to modulate neurotransmission. The present studies demonstrate that ET is synthesized by and secreted from postganglionic sympathetic neurons. With the use of Northern analysis, ET-1 mRNA was detected in cultures of sympathetic superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons isolated from 3- to 5-day old rat pups. ET-1 and ET-3 peptides were also detected in cultured SCG neurons using immunohistochemistry. ET-1 (50 pg/106 cells) and ET-3 (173 pg/106 cells) were detected by radioimmunoassay of media conditioned by cultured SCG. ET-1 (77 pg/mg protein) and ET-3 (30 pg/mg protein) were also detected by radioimmunoassay of extracts of adult SCG.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
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
D012333	RNA, Messenger	RNA sequences that serve as templates for protein synthesis. Bacterial mRNAs are generally primary transcripts in that they do not require post-transcriptional processing. Eukaryotic mRNA is synthesized in the nucleus and must be exported to the cytoplasm for translation. Most eukaryotic mRNAs have a sequence of polyadenylic acid at the 3' end, referred to as the poly(A) tail. The function of this tail is not known for certain, but it may play a role in the export of mature mRNA from the nucleus as well as in helping stabilize some mRNA molecules by retarding their degradation in the cytoplasm.	Messenger RNA,Messenger RNA, Polyadenylated,Poly(A) Tail,Poly(A)+ RNA,Poly(A)+ mRNA,RNA, Messenger, Polyadenylated,RNA, Polyadenylated,mRNA,mRNA, Non-Polyadenylated,mRNA, Polyadenylated,Non-Polyadenylated mRNA,Poly(A) RNA,Polyadenylated mRNA,Non Polyadenylated mRNA,Polyadenylated Messenger RNA,Polyadenylated RNA,RNA, Polyadenylated Messenger,mRNA, Non Polyadenylated
D013564	Sympathetic Nervous System	The thoracolumbar division of the autonomic nervous system. Sympathetic preganglionic fibers originate in neurons of the intermediolateral column of the spinal cord and project to the paravertebral and prevertebral ganglia, which in turn project to target organs. The sympathetic nervous system mediates the body's response to stressful situations, i.e., the fight or flight reactions. It often acts reciprocally to the parasympathetic system.	Nervous System, Sympathetic,Nervous Systems, Sympathetic,Sympathetic Nervous Systems,System, Sympathetic Nervous,Systems, Sympathetic Nervous
D016232	Endothelins	21-Amino-acid peptides produced by vascular endothelial cells and functioning as potent vasoconstrictors. The endothelin family consists of three members, ENDOTHELIN-1; ENDOTHELIN-2; and ENDOTHELIN-3. All three peptides contain 21 amino acids, but vary in amino acid composition. The three peptides produce vasoconstrictor and pressor responses in various parts of the body. However, the quantitative profiles of the pharmacological activities are considerably different among the three isopeptides.	Endothelium-Derived Vasoconstrictor Factors,Endothelin,Vasoconstrictor Factors, Endothelium-Derived
D017783	Superior Cervical Ganglion	The largest and uppermost of the paravertebral sympathetic ganglia.	Superior Cervical Ganglia,Cervical Ganglia, Superior,Cervical Ganglion, Superior,Ganglia, Superior Cervical,Ganglion, Superior Cervical
D051381	Rats	The common name for the genus Rattus.	Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus