Gamma-Melanotropin is contained within neurons, nerve fibres and nerve endings of rat duodenum
Wolter, H.J.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 125(2): 448-453
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0006-291X PMID: 6393978 Document Number: 231447
An immunofluorescence microscopic technique was used to detect .gamma.3-melanotropin used within neuronal cell bodies and nerve fibers as well as within nerver endings of the rat duodenum. These perikarya have a broad, .gamma.3-melanotropin immunofluorescent cytoplasm rim which surrounds a round unstained cell nucleus. They often possess a pear-shaped cell body and are located mainly in the myenteric plexus, but also in the submucous plexus. .gamma.3-Melanotropin immunoreactive nerve fibers and nerve fiber-strands are used in the myenteric plexus neuropil neuropil and lamina propria as well as in interconnecting nerve strands lying between the longitudinal and circular smooth muscle layers. Nerve endings immunoreactive to .gamma.3-melanotropin are in close association with submucosal blood vessels, probably arterioles, and smooth muscle cells of the circular smooth muscle layer.