Morphological studies of the endomorphinergic neurons in the central nervous system |
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Authors: | Wang Qing-Ping Zadina James E Guan Jian-Lian Shioda Seiji |
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Affiliation: | Department of Anatomy, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. |
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Abstract: | Endomorphins (EMs) are newly found endogenous opioid peptides. Both endomorphin-1 (EM-1) and -2 (EM-2) are composed of four amino acids. Their high affinity and specificity for mu-opioid receptors have been confirmed by many physiological and pharmacological studies. In the present minireview, we discuss the distribution and localization of these peptides. While EM-2 is more prevalent in the spinal cord and lower brainstem, EM-1 is more widely and densely distributed throughout the brain than EM-2. We also discuss the possible coexistence of EM with other neurotransmitters. Finally, we introduce some new results regarding the ultrastructure and synaptic relationships of EM-2 obtained by the immunoelectron microscopic method. |
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