[Tachykinins and conformational aspects of their interactions with receptors]

Abstract

Several peptides of the tachykinin family are reviewed. Special attention is spared to mammalian tachykinins as peptide neurotransmitters. Conformational possibilities of the tachykinins are considered in connection with their ability to interact with specific receptors. The results of theoretical and experimental studies suggest a significant identity of spatial structures of the tachykinins and explain the absence of the strict specificity in tachykinin-receptor interactions.