NK-1 receptors are the only class of tachykinin receptors found on mouse cortical astrocytes

Abstract

Extending our previous studies, our results indicate that cultured cortical astrocytes from the mouse possess only NK-1 receptors coupled to phospholipase C. An excellent correlation was found in the potency of tachykinins and selective analogs at inhibiting 125I-BHSP binding and at stimulating phospholipase C activity, their rank order being that of NK-1 receptors. No binding sites could be found with ligands of NK-2 or NK-3 receptors. No additive effect could be shown with NK-2 or NK-3 agonists when phospholipase C activity was estimated with high concentrations of NK-1 agonists. C- or N-terminal SP fragments did not modify SP- or [Pro9]SP-evoked responses.