Abstract
The GLW-amide family is a neuropeptide family found in cnidarian species and is characterized by the C-terminal amino acid sequence -Gly-Leu-Trp-NH2. To detect mammalian peptides structurally related to the GLW-amide family, we examined rat brain by immunohistochemistry with an anti-GLW-amide antibody. GLW-amide-like immunoreactivity (GLW-amide-LI) was observed in thin varicose fibers in some regions of the brain. Most neurons showing GLW-amide-LI were observed in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus, and trigeminal/spinal ganglia. These results strongly suggest that the rat nervous system contains as yet unidentified GLW-amide-like peptides, and that GLW-amide-LI in the brain is a good marker for ascending projections from mesopontine cholinergic neurons.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Dr. Toshitaka Fujisawa (National Institute of Genetics) and Dr. Toshio Takahashi (Suntory Institute for Bioorganic Research) for useful discussions.
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This work was supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture, Japan.
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Hamaguchi-Hamada, K., Fujisawa, Y., Koizumi, O. et al. Immunohistochemical evidence for the existence of novel mammalian neuropeptides related to the Hydra GLW-amide neuropeptide family. Cell Tissue Res 337, 15–25 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-009-0808-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-009-0808-8