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Release of substance P from isolated nerve endings

Nature volume 264, pages 790–792 (1976)Cite this article

An Erratum to this article was published on 01 February 1977

This article has been updated

Abstract

DISCOVERED in 1931 by von Euler and Gaddum1 and purified to homogeneity in 1970 by Chang and Leeman2, stance P is an undecapeptide with the sequence H-Arg-Pro-lys-pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2 (ref. 3). Its function is still unknown but the selective distribution of substance P in the nervous system4–6, its localisation in nerve endings (refs 7–9 and our own unpublished results) and its neuropharmacological actions10–14 strongly suggest that substance P may participate, directly or indirectly, in the transmission process of certain neurones. However, if substance P is a neurotransmitter, it must also be released from nerve terminals upon the appropriate stimulation. In this report we present evidence showing that substance P is released from isolated nerve endings by depolarisation with high K+ and that this release is calcium dependent.

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Change history

  • 01 February 1977

    In 'Release of substance P from isolated nerve endings' by Christina Schenker, Edmund A. Mroz and Susan E. Leeman (Nature, 264, 791, 1976), line 9 should read . . . not be released by high K+ in the presence of Ca2+ . . .

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Deparment of Physiology, Harvard Medical School, Laboratory of Human Reproduction and Reproductive Biology, 45 Shattuck Street, Boston, Mass., 02115

    CHRISTINA SCHENKER, EDMUND A. MROZ & SUSAN E. LEEMAN

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  1. CHRISTINA SCHENKER
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  2. EDMUND A. MROZ
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  3. SUSAN E. LEEMAN
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SCHENKER, C., MROZ, E. & LEEMAN, S. Release of substance P from isolated nerve endings. Nature 264, 790–792 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/264790a0

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