Non-mammalian Tachykinins Research Articles

Solution conformation of non-mammalian tachykinin physalaemin in lipid micelles by nuclear magnetic resonance

Physalaemin (PHY), a non-mammalian tachykinin, binds selectively to neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor with high affinity. Both the aqueous and lipid-induced conformations of PHY have been studied using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. These data show that in water PHY prefers to be in an extended conformation and that in the presence of perdeuterated dodecylphosphocholine micelles, a membrane model system, a helical conformation is observed from Pro4 to the C-terminus. Comparison of the structures ofPHYand other NK ligands along with structure activity studies reported on these peptide ligands suggests that helical backbone structural motif is necessary for the binding of these NK ligands to the various NK receptors. Furthermore, consensus in the structures of these ligands suggests that these ligands must be binding along the highly hydrophobic face of the helix that contains the important hydrophobic residues, Phe7, Leu10, and Met11, that are highly conserved in most of the ligands.

Non-neuronal mammalian tachykinin expression.

Mammalian tachykinins are traditionally viewed as neuropeptides. This review describes the mammalian tachykinins and evidence for expression of these peptides by non-neuronal cells. Tachykinin expression is defined as evidence for gene transcription, peptide production, or peptide secretion. Since the functions of mammalian tachykinins have been amply reviewed, the biological roles of these peptides will be noted briefly, with emphasis on immune cell action. Of particular interest is the predicted existence and non-neuronal expression of new mammalian tachykinins--hemokinin 1, the endokinins and C14TKL-1. Synthetic forms of these peptides have high affinity for the NK1 receptor, the protein traditionally associated with substance P binding. By acting on the same "substance P" receptor, these tachykinins have the potential for promoting similar post-receptor functions. The structure and action of representative non-mammalian tachykinins acting on mammals are also presented. These peptides, of interest in their own right, also appear to exhibit selectivity for the NK1 receptor. They strengthen the notion that multiple ligands may be capable of binding to one receptor, NK1, effecting similar cellular responses.

The role of the amino-terminal domain of tachykinins in neurokinin-1 receptor signaling and desensitization

Neurokinin A (NKA) has previously been shown to be a full agonist of the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) but is only able to cause partial homologous desensitization of the receptor compared to substance P (SP). NKA and SP share the same amino acid sequence at their C-terminal active site domains but differ in structure at their N-terminal domains. These observations have led to the proposal that the N-terminal domains of tachykinin peptides affect the desensitization but not the agonist activities of the peptides. Some of the preprotachykinin proteins contain SP and the NKA-like tachykinins neuropeptide K (NPK) and neuropeptide γ (NPγ), which contain NKA at their C-terminals and are N-terminally extended. In this study, the abilities of NKA, NPK, and NPγ to stimulate NK-1R second messenger (IP 3) signaling and rapid homologous desensitization of the NK-1R were examined. In addition, a similar analysis was performed using several nonmammalian tachykinin peptides in order to obtain additional insight into the role of the tachykinin N-terminal domain in these NK-1R functions. NPK and NPγ were found, like NKA, to be full agonists of rat NK-1R IP 3 signaling but, unlike NKA, were also able to cause full rapid homologous desensitization of the receptor. The extended N-terminal domains of NPK and NPγ thus increase the desensitization activities of these NKA-like peptides. Of the nonmammalian tachykinins tested, all were full agonists but kassinin and eledoisin had only partial homologous desensitization activity, suggesting that the N-terminal structures of these peptides also differentially affect agonist versus desensitization activities of the NK-1R.

Action of physalaemin on the ionic transport across the frog skin.

The effects of the non-mammalian tachykinin physalaemin were studied on the short circuit current (SCC) and on both influx (Ji) and outflux (Jo) of 36Cl- and 22Na+ across the isolated skin of Rana esculenta. Physalaemin, added to the internal bathing fluid, increased SCC in a dose-dependent manner with a maximal effect at 1 microM. This increase was due to a stimulation of both Na+ absorption and Cl- secretion. Bumetanide (20 microM in the internal fluid), an inhibitor of the Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter, reduced the action of physalaemin on SCC by 46%. Furthermore diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (DPC, 0.1 mM in the external fluid), an inhibitor of Cl- channels, decreased the effect of the peptide on SCC by 48%. It is concluded that physalaemin activates the Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter at the basolateral membrane, accumulating Cl- in the cells and favouring its exit through Cl- channels at the outermost membrane of the epithelium. An inhibitor of cyclooxygenases, i.e. naproxen, strongly inhibited the physalaemin effect on SCC, whereas 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid (ETI), an inhibitor of lipooxygenases was without effect. Therefore, it is proposed that prostaglandins (probably PGE2) are the cellular mediators of this action. An antagonist of NK1 receptors for tachykinins, CP 99,994, inhibited the physalaemin action on SCC, whereas challenge with SR 48,968, an antagonist of NK2 receptors, had no effect on physalaemin action. It is concluded that physalaemin effect on SCC in frog skin is mediated by its interaction with NK1 receptors.

Effects of natural tachykinins on porcine lower urinary tract smooth muscle.

1. The aim of our study was to ascertain the possible differences and/or similarities in natural tachykinin activity in vitro on lower urinary tract of large-sized animals as compared with data obtained in laboratory animals. 2. Besides tachykinins normally present in mammals, namely substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB), we tested non-mammalian tachykinins, such as eledoisin (ELED), physalaemin (PHYS), kassinin (KASS) and PG-kassinin II (PG-KASS II). 3. NKA, KASS and ELED were found to be the most potent peptides in contracting detrusor strips from porcine bladder. In particular, NKA showed a pD2 of 7.14, whereas KASS and ELED showed pD2 values of 7.20 and 7.22, respectively. The activity of NKB and PG-KASS II corresponded to 72.4 and 55.0% respectively of that of NKA. SP and PHYS activity corresponded to only 2% of that of NKA. 4. NKA (pD2 7.92) was the most active peptide in contracting bladder neck tissues as well. ELED and KASS were found to have lower, similar pD2 values (7.62 and 7.70, respectively), whereas NKB and PG-KASS II were much less active (pD2 7.12 and 6.74, respectively). Moreover, SP and PHYS showed an activity range lower than 2% of that of NKA. 5. The reported results confirm that, on pig vesical neck and detrusor, NK1 receptors represent a minority as compared with NK2 and NK3 receptors. By contrast, the presence of NK2 receptors is demonstrated by a greater potency of NKA. The presence of NK3 receptors both on detrusor and neck is evidenced by NKB activity and by results achieved with PG-KASS II.

Tachykinin receptors in the small intestine of the cane toad (Bufo marinus): a radioligand binding and functional study.

In this study, we have used radioligand binding and functional techniques to investigate tachykinin receptors in the small intestine of the cane toad Bufo marinus. The radioligand [125I]Bolton-Hunter [Sar9,Met(O2)11]substance P (selective at mammalian NK-1 receptors) showed no specific binding. Specific binding of [125I]Bolton-Hunter substance P ([125I]BHSP) was saturable, of high affinity (Kd 0.3 nM) and was inhibited by SP (IC50 0.64 nM) > ranakinin approximately neurokinin A (NKA) > or = SP(5-11) > or = neuropeptide gamma > or = scyliorhinin II > scyliorhinin I > or = [Sar9]-SP > or = neurokinin B approximately physalaemin approximately carassin >> SP(7-11) approximately eledoisin > or = SP(4-11) approximately SP(6-11). Binding was also inhibited by Gpp[NH]p > or = GTPgammaS > App[NH]p, indicating a G-protein coupled receptor. The order of potency of tachykinins and analogues in contracting the isolated lower small intestine was carassin (EC50 1.4 nM) > eledoisin approximately SP > or = physalaemin > or = ranakinin > SP(6-11) > scyliorhinin II > or = neuropeptide gamma > neurokinin B approximately NKA approximately scyliorhinin I > or = SP(4-11) > or = SP(5-11) > [Sar9]SP > SP(7-11). In both studies, the selective mammalian NK-1, NK-2 and NK-3 receptor agonists [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP, [Lys5,Me-Leu9,Nle10]NKA(4-10) and senktide were weak or ineffective. There was a strong positive correlation between the pD2 and pIC50 values for mammalian tachykinins and analogues (r = 0.907), but not for the non-mammalian tachykinins, which were all full agonists but variable binding competitors. [Sar9,Met(O2)11]-SP(pD2 5.7) was approximately 25-fold less potent as an agonist than [Sar9]SP, which was itself 25-fold weaker than SP. Responses to SP were significantly reduced (n = 8, P<0.001) by the antagonist [D-Arg1,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]-SP (spantide; 1 microM). Highly selective NK-1 receptor antagonists including CP 99994 and GR 82334 (both 1 microM) were ineffective in both functional and binding studies. Tetrodotoxin (1 microM) did not inhibit contractile responses to SP, NKA and senktide. In summary, this study has shown the presence of one or more tachykinin receptor in the toad intestine. The binding site recognised by [125I]BHSP prefers SP and ranakinin. This toad "NK-1-like receptor" differs from the mammalian NK-1 receptor in having a low affinity for all mammalian NK-1 selective ligands, including antagonists. For some non-mammalian peptides, their high potency as contractile agonists relative to their poor binding affinity suggests the existence of other tachykinin receptors in the toad small intestine.

Action of Physalaemin on the Ionic Transport Across the Frog Skin

The effects of the non-mammalian tachykinin physalaemin were studied on the short circuit current (SCC) and on both influx (Ji) and outflux (Jo) of 36Cl− and 22Na+ across the isolated skin of Rana esculenta. Physalaemin, added to the internal bathing fluid, increased SCC in a dose-dependent manner with a maximal effect at 1µM. This increase was due to a stimulation of both Na+ absorption and Cl− secretion. Bumetanide (20 µM in the internal fluid), an inhibitor of the Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter, reduced the action of physalaemin on SCC by 46%. Furthermore diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (DPC, 0.1 mM in the external fluid), an inhibitor of Cl− channels, decreased the effect of the peptide on SCC by 48%. It is concluded that physalaemin activates the Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter at the basolateral membrane, accumulating Cl− in the cells and favouring its exit through Cl− channels at the outermost membrane of the epithelium. An inhibitor of cyclooxygenases, i.e. naproxen, strongly inhibited the physalaemin effect on SCC, whereas 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid (ETI), an inhibitor of lipooxygenases was without effect. Therefore, it is proposed that prostaglandins (probably PGE2) are the cellular mediators of this action. An antagonist of NK1 receptors for tachykinins, CP 99,994, inhibited the physalaemin action on SCC, whereas challenge with SR 48,968, an antagonist of NK2 receptors, had no effect on physalaemin action. It is concluded that physalaemin effect on SCC in frog skin is mediated by its interaction with NK1 receptors.

GR 73,632 and [Glu(OBzl) 11]substance P are selective agonists for the septide-sensitive tachykinin NK 1 receptor in the rat urinary bladder

The existence of a septide-sensitive subtype of the tachykinin NK 1 receptor has been recently proposed. In the rat isolated urinary bladder, the non-peptide NK 1 receptor antagonist RP 67,580 exhibits a higher affinity towards septide (pK B 7.57) than towards [Sar 9]substance P sulfone (pK B 7.00). In this study we have investigated the pharmacological profile of the non-mammalian tachykinin physalaemin, of the synthetic NK 1 receptor agonist GR 73,632 (δ-aminovaleryl[LPro 9, NMeLeu 10]substance P(7–11)) and of [Glu(OBzl) 11]substance P in relation to the putative existence of a septide-sensitive receptor. The activity of [Glu(OBzl) 11]substance P at the NK 1, NK 2 and NK 3 receptor was assayed in the guinea-pig ileum NK 1 receptor assay (EC 50 26 nM), in the rabbit pulmonary artery NK 2 receptor assay (weak agonist activity) and in the rat portal vein NK 3 receptor assays (no appreciable activity up to 1 μM). GR 73,632, [Glu(OBzl) 11]substance P and physalaemin, all produced concentration-dependent contractions of the rat isolated urinary bladder, with EC 50 values of 17, 79, and 9 nM, respectively. The responses to the three agonists were very slightly or not modified by the NK 2 receptor antagonist SR 48,968 (1 μM). RP 67,580 (0.3-3 μM) produced a concentration-dependent rightward shift of the curve to GR 73,632, [Glu(OBzl) 11]substance P and physalaemin without producing depression of their maximal response. Schild plot analysis indicated the competitive nature of the antagonism. The affinity (pK B) of RP 67,580 towards physalaemin, GR 73,632 and [Glu(OBzl) 11]substance P was 7.12, 7.56 and 7.95, respectively. These findings indicate that the C-terminal derivative of substance P GR 73,632 and the undecapeptide [Glu(OBzl) 11]substance P preferentially stimulate the septide-sensitive NK 1 receptor in the rat urinary bladder, suggesting that the N-terminal sequence of substance P does not necessarily contribute to a preferential interaction with the ‘classical NK 1’ receptor. [Glu(OBzl) 11]substance P appears as a better ligand than septide itself at the septide-sensitive NK 1 receptor.

A determination of the solution conformation of the nonmammalian tachykinin eledoisin by NMR and CD spectroscopy.

The nonmammalian tachykinin eledoisin was investigated by use of CD and two-dimensional NMR techniques. In aqueous solution the peptide is conformationally averaged, but on addition of 50% trifluoroethanol (TFE) or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) it adopts an alpha-helical structure. In TFE/H2O and SDS, residues 6-10 of eledoisin show more conformational order than the terminal regions, which undergo dynamic fraying. A possible turn in the N-terminal "address" region, the putative receptor recognition site of the peptide, is detected by NMR spectroscopy but appears to undergo substantial conformational averaging. The NMR data indicate that the helical central core of eledoisin is better defined in the micellar environment than in TFE; however, partial unfolding via 3(10) intermediates occurs in both cases. The conformational preference for SDS-bound eledoisin was examined by three-dimensional structure calculations using NMR-derived distance information in simulated annealing calculations.

Receptor binding profile of neuropeptide γ and its fragments: Comparison with the nonmammalian peptides carassin and ranakinin at three mammalian tachykinin receptors

The tachykinin binding site preferences of neuropeptide γ (NPγ), its C- terminal fragments AcNPγ(3–21), AcNPγ(5–21), AcNPγ(7–21), and AcNPγ(9–21), other mammalian tachykinins, and the nonmammalian tachykinins ranakinin and carassin were examined in membrane binding competition studies. [ 125I]-Bolton-Hunter [Sar 9,Met(O 2) 11]SP (BHSarSP), [ 125I]-neurokinin A (INKA) and [ 125I]-Bolton-Hunter scyliorhinin II (BHScyII) were used to investigate NK-1, NK-2, and NK-3 sites, in rat submandibular gland, gastric fundus, and brain, respectively. Elongation of the neurokinin A molecule does not appear to influence binding to rat tachykinin NK-1 and NK-2 binding sites. Ranakinin has affinity for the NK-1 and NK-2 site similar to that of substance P and neurokinin A, respectively, but has low affinity for the NK-3 site. Despite its structural similarities to neuropeptide γ, carassin has only moderate affinity for rat tachykinin binding sites. Possession of an acidic residue at position 4 appears critical for binding to rat NK-2 sites.

Neurohormonal control of salt intake in the rat

Steroids (aldosterone and testosterone) and peptides of cerebral origin (angiotensin II and the tachykinins) control the salt intake of the rat. They arouse or suppress the behavior and they produce lifelong enhancements of NaCl intake. Need-induced salt intake (salt appetite or salt hunger), which is the consequence of sodium deficiency, is aroused by a synergy within the brain of cerebral angiotensin II and aldosterone. And prior episodes of sodium depletion produce enhancements of subsequent salt appetites, but only if the prior depletions were accompanied by angiotensin II and aldosterone action. Need-free salt intake, which occurs daily when the rat is in positive sodium balance is also enhanced by prior activations of angiotensin II and aldosterone. Both need-induced and need-free salt intake are suppressed by intracranial tachykinins. Nonmammalian tachykinins (eledoisin, physalaemin, kassinin) are both antidipsogenic and antinatriorexigenic, but amino-senktide, an analog of the mammalian tachykinin substance P with selective affinity for the NK 3 receptor, appears to be a selective antinatriorexigenic agent, and could provide a rational therapy for chronic over-consumption of salt.

Binding sites for tachykinin peptides in the brain and stomach of the dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula

In membranes of dogfish brain and stomach, two binding sites for tachykinins were identified. One site specifically bound [ 125I]-Bolton-Hunter substance P (BH-SP) and the rank potency of tachykinins to compete for BH-SP binding revealed similarities with the rank potency of an NK 1 receptor. The pharmacology of the other site, which specifically bound [ 125I]-Bolton-Hunter scyliorhinin II (BH-Scy II), did not resemble any of the mammalian tachykinin receptors. The rank potency to inhibit BH-Scy II binding to this second site was: scyliorhinin II ≈ scyliorhinin I > eledoisin ≈ substance P ≈ neurokinin A > phyllomedusin ≈ physalaemin > [Sar 9Met(O 2) 11]substance P. Neurokinin B and senktide did not displace BH-Scy II binding. In addition, nucleotide analogues inhibited BH-SP binding but not BH-Scy II binding. Our binding data suggest the existence of a mammalian-like NK 1 receptor and of a nonmammalian tachykinin receptor in the dogfish.

Responses of functionally identified neurones in the dorsal horn of the cat spinal cord to substance P, neurokinin A and physalaemin

The mammalian tachykinins, substance P and neurokinin A, and the non-mammalian tachykinin, physalaemin, were tested on functionally identified dorsal horn neurones in vivo. The experiments were done on cats which were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbital or were anaemically decerebrated. Extracellular single-unit recordings were made in the lumbar spinal cord and the tachykinins were applied by iontophoresis. Each neurone was classified functionally as wide dynamic range, non-nociceptive, nociceptive specific or proprioceptive. The response to tachykinin application was determined for each neurone. Application of each of the tachykinins evoked a characteristic excitatory response which was delayed in onset, slow in developing and prolonged: physalaemin excited 99/131 neurones tested, neurokinin A excited 45/63 neurones and substance P excited 32/49 neurones. With two neurones physalaemin evoked a depression of the rate of firing, which may have been caused indirectly by excitation of a neighbouring neurone. Such depression was not elicited by either substance P or by neurokinin A. Physalaemin had a preferential excitatory effect on nociceptive neurones evoking excitation of 76/94 nociceptive neurones compared with 12/23 non-nociceptive neurones (χ 2 = 7.9, 1d.f., P = 0.005). Substance P also caused a preferential excitation, with 30/40 nociceptive neurones being excited while all of the non-nociceptive neurones ( n = 7) were unaffected (χ 2 = 11.5, 1d.f., P = 0.0007). In contrast, neurokinin A failed to have a preferential effect; 32/46 nociceptive and 9/10 non-nociceptive neurones were excited (χ 2 = 1.0, 1d.f., P = 0.40). Comparing the proportions of nociceptive neurones excited by the different tachykinins indicated that this type of neurone was not differently sensitive to any of the three peptides (χ 2 = 3.2, 2 d.f., P = 0.20). On the other hand, non-nociceptive neurones were preferentially excited by neurokinin A and physalaemin compared with substance P (χ 2 = 13.4, 2 d.f., P = 0.001). With regard to the endogenous tachykinins the results of this study may be interpreted in the following ways. The differential excitatory effect of substance P on nociceptive neurones supports the proposed role for this peptide in the transmission specifically of nociceptive inputs at the first afferent synapse. On the other hand, as neurokinin A excited non-nociceptive as well as nociceptive neurones, there may be a functional role for neurokinin A distinct from that of substance P.

Effects of central injection of tachykinins on alcohol intake in rats

Subcutaneous pretreatment of rats with neurokinin (NK) A or the fragment NKA(4–10) reduced the degree of gastric lesions induced by oral administration of 96% ethanol. The protective effect of NKA(4–10) was dose-dependent. Arg-NKB, the water soluble derivative of NKB, was less effective than NKA or NKA(4–10) while [Me-Phe7]NKB, substance P (SP) and SP-methyl-ester were inactive. The NKA(4–10) antilesion effect was reversed by pretreatment with N-ethyl-maleimide, suggesting a possible involvement of sulphydryls in its action. Among the nonmammalian tachykinins, kassinin significantly reduced ethanol-induced lesions while eledoisin and physalaemin at equivalent molar doses were inactive. These results provide, for the first time, evidence that tachykinins and their derivatives exert gastroprotective activity toward ethanol-induced haemorragic lesions. Assuming a receptor-mediated mechanism, NK-2 sites could be involved.

Effects of tachykinins and selective tachykinin receptor agonists on vascular permeability in the rat lower urinary tract: evidence for the involvement of NK‐1 receptors

1. Intravenous administration of three mammalian tachykinins (substance P, neurokinin A and neurokinin B) and three non-mammalian tachykinins (physalaemin, eledoisin and kassinin) induced dose-dependent increases in vascular permeability, as measured by Evans blue leakage technique, in various segments of the lower urinary tract (bladder dome and neck, proximal urethra, ureters) in urethane-anaesthetized rats. 2. Plasma extravasation induced by substance P (3.71 nmol kg-1 i.v.) was unaffected by pretreatment with antihistaminic drugs or methysergide. 3. A comparison of the relative potencies of various tachykinins did not allow characterization of a distinct type of receptor involved in the increase in vascular permeability. 4. The effects of tachykinin-related peptides which are selective agonists at the NK-1 (substance P-methylester, [Pro9]-SP-sulphone), NK-2 receptor [( Nle10]-NKA(4-10] or NK-3 receptor [( MePhe7]-NKB(4-10) and Senktide) indicated that NK-1 agonists are effective in the whole lower urinary tract, while NK-2 or NK-3 agonists are inactive or weakly active. 5. [beta-Ala4, Sar9]-SP(4-11)-sulphone, a selective NK-1 receptor agonist devoid of histamine-releasing properties, was highly potent and effective in producing plasma extravasation in the rat lower urinary tract. 6. These findings indicate that NK-1 receptors mediate the effect of intravenous tachykinins on vascular permeability in the rat lower urinary tract, through a histamine-independent mechanism.

NK‐1 receptor mediation of neurogenic plasma extravasation in rat skin

1. Plasma extravasation was induced by electrical nerve stimulation and by perfusion of tachykinins over a vacuum-induced blister base on rat footpad. 2. Stimulation of the sciatic nerve (18 V, 15 Hz, 0.5 ms) for 20 min produced a significant increase in the protein content of the perfusate. The response in capsaicin pretreated rats was only 4% of the control response. This indicates that the electrically-induced plasma extravasation response was mediated by capsaicin-sensitive sensory fibres. 3. Exogenous perfusion of the mammalian tachykinins substance P, neurokinin A and neurokinin B and the non-mammalian tachykinins physalaemin, kassinin and eledoisin was used to determine the tachykinin receptor type mediating the plasma extravasation response. Dose-response curves of the tachykinins (10(-9) M-10(-4) M) gave a rank order of potency of substance P = physalaemin greater than eledoisin greater than or equal to kassinin greater than neurokinin B = neurokinin A. 4. In addition, specific agonists of neurokinin receptors were perfused. Perfusion of [Glp6, D-Pro9] SP6-11 and [Glp6, L-Pro9]SP6-11 demonstrated that the L-Pro isomer was much more potent than the D-Pro isomer. 5. The rank order of potency and the greater potency of [Glp6, L-Pro9]SP6-11 over its D-isomer indicate an NK-1 neurokinin receptor mediates plasma extravasation in rat footpad skin.

Suppression of salt intake in the rat by neurokinin A: comparison with the effect of kassinin

The present study investigates the effect of the mammalian tachykinin neurokinin A on salt intake in the rat. Intracerebroventricular injection of neurokinin A inhibited salt intake elicited by sodium depletion, by subchronic deoxycorticosterone treatment and by adrenalectomy. It also inhibited the need-free salt intake of female rats that had been previously depleted of sodium. Since different brain mechanisms elicit salt intake in these experimental models, it is concluded that neurokinin A exerts a general antinatriorexic effect. Apparently, its inhibitory effect on salt intake is not due to malaise or competing behaviors, as shown by the fact that the doses of neurokinin A which suppress salt intake do not suppress milk intake. In comparison to the amphibian tachykinin kassinin, neurokinin A possesses a similar spectrum of antinatriorexic activities, but is markedly less potent and less effective in all the experimental models investigated. These findings suggest that activation of neurokinin A receptors cannot solely account for the potent antinatriorexic effect of kassinin and of other non-mammalian tachykinins.

Tachykinins protect against ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats.

Subcutaneous pretreatment of rats with neurokinin (NK) A or the fragment NKA(4-10) reduced the degree of gastric lesions induced by oral administration of 96% ethanol. The protective effect of NKA(4-10) was dose-dependent. Arg-NKB, the water soluble derivative of NKB, was less effective than NKA or NKA(4-10) while [Me-Phe7]NKB, substance P (SP) and SP-methyl-ester were inactive. The NKA(4-10) antilesion effect was reversed by pretreatment with N-ethyl-maleimide, suggesting a possible involvement of sulphydryls in its action. Among the nonmammalian tachykinins, kassinin significantly reduced ethanol-induced lesions while eledoisin and physalaemin at equivalent molar doses were inactive. These results provide, for the first time, evidence that tachykinins and their derivatives exert gastroprotective activity toward ethanol-induced haemorrhagic lesions. Assuming a receptor-mediated mechanism, NK-2 sites could be involved.

Tachykinin receptor subtype that mediates the increase in vascular permeability in guinea pig skin

To determine the tachykinin receptor subtype that mediates the increase in vascular permeability, we examined the rank order of potency of tachykinins for inducing plasma extravasation in guinea pig skin and the specificity of tachykinin-induced tachyphylaxis of the responses. Plasma extravasation of the skin induced by tachykinins was NK-1 (SP-P)-type response from the rank order of potency of mammalian and nonmammalian tachykinins. Tachyphylaxis of the vascular response was induced by intradermal preinjection of mammalian tachykinins and was tachykinin-specific. In substance P (SP) tachyphylaxis (where SP was preinjected), the response to SP, not to neurokinin A (NKA) or neurokinin B (NKB), was decreased. In NKA tachyphylaxis and NKB tachyphylaxis, the responce to NKA, not to SP or NKB, and the response to NKB, not to SP or NKA, were decreased, respectively. Thus, we conclude that the apparent NK-1-type response is mediated through three mammalian tachykinin receptors, NK-1, NK-2, and NK-3, which are specifically stimulated by their preferred agonist, SP, NKA, and NKB, respectively.

The Tachykinins Neurokinin A and Physalaemin Stimulate Murine Thymocyte Proliferation

The tachykinins constitute a family of neuropeptides that are released from sensory neurons, mediating a variety of responses termed neurogenic inflammation. The present study investigates the possibility that tachykinins are also involved in immune-regulatory mechanisms. The mammalian tachykinins neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B, neuropeptide K and substance P, as well as the nonmammalian tachykinin physalaemin (PHY) and eledoisin, were analysed in 10-pM to 1.0 microM concentrations for regulatory influences in several lymphocyte proliferation assays. NKA, and to a lesser extent PHY, but none of the other tachykinins tested, displayed a stimulatory action in murine thymocyte cultures, utilised as an interleukin-1 (IL-1) bioassay. The effect was apparent only at a concentration of 0.1 microM or higher. No further stimulatory effect of the tachykinins could be observed in thymocyte cultures already suboptimally stimulated to proliferation by addition of IL-1. The tachykinins had no effect in direct and co-mitogenic T and B lymphocyte proliferation assays with rat spleen cells, in a thymocyte growth peptide assay with mouse thymic lymphoblasts or in an interleukin-2 (IL-2) bioassay with IL-2-dependent rat splenoblasts. Our findings indicate that NKA and PHY can act as immune regulators. The results are relevant for the understanding of the interaction between the nervous and the immune system, and are of particular interest in view of the inflammatory actions of both tachykinins and IL-1.