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Presence of α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone‐like immunoreactivity in the innervation of amphibian skeletal muscle
Author(s) -
Oren N.,
Micevych P. E.,
Letinsky M. S.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.490230213
Subject(s) - bullfrog , rana , amphibian , biology , endocrinology , neurofilament , medicine , grenouille , skeletal muscle , salientia , melanocyte stimulating hormone , motor nerve , anatomy , neuroscience , hormone , immunohistochemistry , xenopus , ecology , immunology , biochemistry , gene
Amphibian motor nerve terminals are sensitive to a wide variety of peptides, including α‐melanocytestimulating hormone (α‐MSH). We determined the presence and distribution of α‐MSH‐like immunoreactivity (α‐MSHLI) in the innervation of the cutaneous pectoris muscle from bullfrog ( Rana catesbeiana ) tadpoles and postmetamorphic froglets, and adult frogs ( R. catesbeiana and R. pipiens ). α‐MSHLI was found in unmyelinated, noncholinergic axons, in motor axons, and in motor nerve terminals. In motor axons, α‐MSHLI was predominantly associated with neurofilaments. The distribution of this form of α‐MSHLI changed during development and seasonally in adult frogs. The possible functional roles of this α‐MSHLI are discussed.