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Evidence for neurotensin as a non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neurotransmitter in guinea pig ileum

Nature volume 311, pages 59–62 (1984)Cite this article

Abstract

Neurotensin is a 13-amino acid peptide that is widely distributed in central and peripheral tissues of various mammalian species1. In peripheral tissues, the highest concentration of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity is found in the ileum, where it is present in endocrine-like cells and nerve fibres2–4. The longitudinal smooth muscle layer of the guinea pig ileum, where neurotensin has both a direct relaxant and an indirect contractile action, has been used extensively as a biological assay system for neurotensin5. We report here that the majority of specific 3H-neurotensin binding sites is present in the guinea pig ileum circular smooth muscle layer, which is known to be innervated by a large proportion of the ileal non-adrenergic inhibitory nerves6. Neurotensin produces a dose-dependent, tetrodotoxin-resistant relaxation, whereas the relaxation produced by field stimulation of the inhibitory nerves is frequency-dependent and tetrodotoxin-sensitive. The calcium-dependent potassium channel blocker apamin7,8 inhibits both the neurotensin- and nerve stimulation-induced muscle relaxation. Incubation of the circular smooth muscle preparation with a neurotensin antiserum substantially inhibited the nerve stimulation-induced relaxation, indicating a direct relationship between the effects of neurotensin and of nerve stimulation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Unit, Medical Research Council Centre, Medical School, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QH, UK

    Michel Goedert, John C. Hunter & Mary Ninkovic

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  1. Michel Goedert
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  2. John C. Hunter
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  3. Mary Ninkovic
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Goedert, M., Hunter, J. & Ninkovic, M. Evidence for neurotensin as a non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neurotransmitter in guinea pig ileum. Nature 311, 59–62 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/311059a0

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