Immunocytochemical studies with antisera against Leu-enkephalin and an enkephalin-precursor fragment (BAM-22P) in the rat brain

Abstract

Rats given high doses of colchicine (300–400 ug, i.c.v.) were used to investigate the comparative distribution of Leu-enkephalin and bovine adrenal medullary enkephalin-precursor fragment (BAM-22P) in the brain. Leu-enkephalin immunoreactive neurons have a widespread distribution throughout the neuraxis. In most areas adjacent section analysis showed BAM-22P and Leu-enkephalin immunoreactive perikarya to be similarly localized. Brain enkephalin biosynthetic mechanisms might therefore be similar to those regulating adrenal medullary enkephalin biosynthesis.