NEUROPEPTIDE FF (FLFQPQRF-NH2) IN BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD--FUNCTION & DISTRIBUTION

神经肽FF（NPFF）最初分离自牛脑， 发现具有吗啡调节活性。 在这项研究中， 研究了这种肽的作用。 使用体外灌注 系统中，我们发现：1）纳洛酮可诱导NPFF释放 在接受慢性吗啡的大鼠脊髓中; 2）K+诱导的 Kappa-1能特异性地抑制NPFF从脊髓的释放， 阿片激动剂 这些结果进一步支持了NPFF在阿片类药物中的作用 戒断综合征和NPFF在阿片介导的戒断过程中的生理作用 抗伤害感受 在垂体，使用电解病变，分析 微穿孔区和顺行追踪实验，我们 已经确定至少部分神经垂体NPFF起源于 从下丘脑视上核发出的信号 这一结果与 我们以前的研究提出了NPFF之间相互作用的可能性， 和下丘脑-神经垂体系统的精氨酸加压素。 的cDNA 现在已经用从大肠杆菌中分离的mRNA构建了文库。 盐负荷大鼠下丘脑分离NPFF前体- 蛋白特异性克隆。 我们还将分离精氨酸加压素前体 从研究Arg- 加压素和NPFF。

Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) was originally isolated from the bovine brain and found to have morphine modulating activity. In this study the functional role of this peptide was investigated. Using an in vitro superfusion system we have found that 1) release of NPFF can be induced by naloxone in spinal cords of rats receiving chronic morphine and 2) the K+ induced release of NPFF from spinal cord can be inhibited specifically by Kappa- opioid agonist. The results further support the role of NPFF in opiate abstinence syndrome and the physiological role of NPFF in opioid mediated antinociception. In the pituitary, using electrolytic lesions, analysis of micropunched areas and an anterograde track tracing experiment, we have established that at least part of neurohypophyseal NPFF originates from the supraoptic nucleus of hypothalamus. This result together with our previous studies raise the possibility of an interaction between NPFF and Arg-vasopressin in the hypothalamo-neurophypophyseal system. A cDNA library has now been constructed with the mRNA isolated from the hypothalami of salt-loaded rats for the isolation of NPFF precursor- protein specific clone. We will also isolate Arg-vasopressin precursor specific clones from studying the possible interaction between Arg- vasopressin and NPFF using Brattleboro rats.