Further identification of bioactive peptides in the anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilus: Two contractile and three inhibitory peptides

1. Two contractile and three inhibitory peptides were newly isolated from the anterior byssus retractor muscles (ABRMs) of the bivalve mollusc Mytilus edulis by using the muscle as the bioassay system.2. The structures of the two contractile peptides were GPFGTHIKamide (GPFG-8) and GPFGLNKHGamide (GPFG-9). The contractile response of the ABRM to the first-time application of GPFG-8 or GPFG-9 was of considerable size. The threshold concentrations of the peptides were around 10⁻⁹M. However, the contractile response to the second-time application was far smaller than that to the first-time application in both cases. Namely, the muscle showed tachyphylaxis to the peptides.3. Two of the three inhibitory peptides were members of the Mytilus-inhibitory-peptide (MIP) family. Their structures were RAPLFIamide (MIP₆) and RSPMFVamide (MIP₇). The peptides, as well as the other MIPs previously identified, showed a potent inhibitory effect on phasic contraction of the ABRM in response to repetitive electrical stimulation. The remaining one was an MIP-related peptide (MIP-RP) having the sequence of MRYFVamide. The MIP-RP was less potent than the two MIPs in inhibiting the contraction of the ABRM.     

The relaxation induced by indole and nonindole 5-HT agonists in the molluscan smooth muscle

1. The abilities of two indole agonists and some nonindole agonists to induce relaxation of catch contraction and the influence of the agonists on cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of Mytilus were investigated. 2. 5-MeOT (5-methoxytryptamine) and 5-MeODMT (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) dose-dependently relaxed the contraction. 3. TFMPP (m-trifluoromethylphenyl piperazine), PAPP (p-amino-phenyl TFMPP) and mCPP (1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine dose-dependently relaxed the contraction, but 2MPP (1-(2-methylphenyl) piperazine and quipazine did not. 4. 5-MeOT (10(-6)M), 5-MeODMT (10(-6)M), TFMPP (10(-4)M), 2MPP (10(-4)M), quipazine (10(-4)M) and 8-OH-DPAT (3 x 10(-5) M) significantly reduced the cAMP levels, but PAPP (3 x 10(-4)M) and mCPP (10(-4)M) did not have any effect on cAMP levels. 5. These findings indicate that the pharmacological properties of 5-HT1-like receptors in the ABRM are similar to those of 5-HT1A receptors in mammalian tissues, and that the changes in cAMP levels induced by the agonists used are unlikely to be directly linked to the relaxation induced by them.     

The relaxing effect of SCH 23390 in the molluscan smooth muscle

1. SCH 23390 (SCH, R(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine) produced the relaxation of ACh-induced contraction in the anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilus edulis (ABRM) in a dose-dependent manner between 10⁻⁹-10⁻⁶M.2. The dose-response curve of SCH was shifted in parallel to the right by ketanserin (KET) with pA₂ value of 5.14 ± 0.08 and by 1-(1-naphthyl)piperazine (NAP) with that of 5.06 ± 0.01, but not by cyproheptadine (CYP), mianserin (MIA), butaclamol (BUTA), ICS 205–930 (ICS) and MDL 72222 (MDL) at 3 × 10⁻⁵ M.3. α-Methyl-serotonin (α-Me-5-HT), a selective 5-HT₂ receptor agonist dose-dependently relaxed the ACh-induced contraction of ABRM. The dose-response curve of α-Me-5-HT was shifted in parallel to the right by KET with pA₂ value of 5.01 ± 0.02, but not by BUTA, CYP, MIA, ICS and MDL at 3 × 10⁻⁵ M.4. These findings suggest that 5-HT₂-like receptors exist in the ABRM, and that the relaxation induced by SCH is mediated through these receptors.     

Cooling-induced contraction of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle

Cooling of isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle from 38 to 28 degrees C over 2.25 min produced a transient contraction followed by sustained relaxation. The cooling-induced contraction was blocked either by pretreatment with ouabain at concentrations of 10(-5) M or greater or by substitution of normal physiological salt solution with K-free solution. In contrast, the contractile response to cooling was not inhibited by pretreatment with phentolamine (10(-5) M), atropine (10(-5) M), tetrodotoxin (3 X 10(-7) M), diphenhydramine (10(-5) M), cromolyn sodium (10(-3) M), indomethacin (3 X 10(-7) M), nifedipine (10(-7) M), or verapamil (3 X 10(-6) M). Addition of NaHCO3 to the bath during cooling, preventing a change in pH of the physiological salt solution, did not affect the cooling-induced contraction. It is concluded that cooling of isolated guinea pig trachea produces a transient ouabain-sensitive contraction, and that the data suggest the contraction is mediated by inhibition of Na-K-ATPase in the smooth muscle rather than through neuronal stimulation or chemical mediator release.     

A variety of Mytilus inhibitory peptides in the ABRM of Mytilus edulis: isolation and characterization.

1. Five species of Mytilus inhibitory peptides, MIP1-5, were isolated from acetone extracts of the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of Mytilus edulis. MIP1 and MIP2 were shown to be S2-MIP and A2-MIP, respectively, first isolated from the pedal ganglia of the animal. 2. All the five peptides had a common C-terminal structure of -Pro-Xaa-Phe-Val-NH2, which was shown to be important for their biological activity. 3. The five MIPs showed similar inhibitory effects on contractions of the ABRM but did not affect catch tension and its relaxation. 4. In addition to the MIPs, catch-relaxing peptide (CARP) was also found in the ABRM.     

Tonic contraction and the control of relaxation in a chemically skinned molluscan smooth muscle

The same functional states that characterize the living anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) from Mytilus edulis can be initiated in the saponin-treated (chemically skinned) muscle preparation under controlled biochemical conditions. A tonic contraction was induced if the concentration of free Ca2+ was above approximately 10(7) M in the presence of Mg2+ and ATP. Maximum tension development was achieved at a Ca2+ concentration of approximately 10(4) M. Within these Ca2+ concentrations tension was always associated with the presence of 'active state," as indicated by a high recovery of tension after a quick release in muscle length. Tonic tension, and the associated active state was maintained for hours during these conditions irrespective of variations in both ionic strength and pH. Reduction of the Ca2+ concentration to below threshold for tension initiation during a tonic contraction immediately switched off the active state and relaxation of the muscle preparation resulted. However, the rate of relaxation was extremely low, leaving a substantial fraction of tension in the absence of active state. Both 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and cAMP accelerated this slow relaxation in the absence of Ca2+. Thus, this state was considered equivalent to the 'catch state" in the living ABRM. In the presence of Ca2+ concentrations above 10(7) M, cAMP did not affect either the maximum tension developed or the Ca2+ sensitivity of the chemically skinned muscle preparation.     

Effects of the neuropeptide APGW-amide and related compounds on molluscan muscles--GW-amide shows potent modulatory effects.

1. Effects of the molluscan neuropeptide APGW-amide and related compounds (the crustacean hormone RPCH, FAPGW-amide, PGW-amide, GW-amide and W-amide) were examined in several kinds of molluscan muscles. 2. All the compounds, except W-amide, showed qualitatively similar modulatory effects on contraction or relaxation of the muscles. The potency order of the compounds was found to be GW-amide greater than or equal to APGW-amide greater than FAPGW-amide greater than RPCH greater than PGW-amide. W-amide showed little or no effect even at 10(-4) M. 3. In the ABRM of Mytilus and the radula retractor muscle of Rapana, the active peptides were suggested to exhibit their modulatory effects by acting on the presynaptic sites in the muscles. 4. Nineteen GW-amide analogues, such as Gly-Trp-OH, Gly-Phe-NH2, D-Ala-Trp-NH2 and N-Gly-tryptamine, were also tested on some of the muscles, but all of them showed little or no effect.     

Effects of several pro-opiomelanocortin derived peptides on steroidogenesis in ovine and bovine adrenal cells

The effects of several peptides derived from the amino-terminal end of proopiomelanocortin (N-POMC) alone or in combination with ACTH on ovine and bovine adrenal cell steroidogenesis have been studied. Neither porcine N-POMC1-61 amide, nor gamma 3-MSH, nor been studied. Neither porcine N-POMC1-61 amide, nor gamma 3-MSH, nor Lys-gamma 3-MSH alone had any steroidogenic effect while porcine N-POMC1-80 alone had a week but significant steroidogenic effect on isolated adrenal, the effect being more pronounced on cultural adrenal cells. The potentiation by N-POMC peptides of the steroidogenic action of ACTH was investigated using both freshly isolated and cultured adrenal cells. At 10(-8) M N-POMC1-61 amide, gamma 3-MSH and Lys-gamma 3-MSH did not modify the ACTH dose-response for steroids (gluco- and mineralocorticoids) and cAMP production. Likewise, the stimulatory effect of 10(-12) M ACTH was not modified by increasing concentrations (10(-11) to 10(-8) M) of N-POMC1-61 amide or gamma 3-MSH. On the other hand, an additive effect of 10(-8) M N-POMC1-80 on the steroidogenic action of low concentration of ACTH was observed. This again was more pronounced in cultured adrenal cells. The same effects were observed when increasing concentrations of this peptide (10(-9) and 10(-8) M) were added together with 10(-12) M ACTH. This result indicates that the potentiating effects of N-POMC derived peptides on the steroidogenic effect of ACTH which has been described on rat and human adrenal, is not a general phenomenon in mammals.     

Structure-activity relationship and signal transduction of gamma-MSH peptides in GH3 cells: further evidence for a new melanocortin receptor

The structure-activity relationship and signal transduction properties of the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived gamma-MSH peptides in the GH3 cell line was compared with that described for the known melanocortin receptors (MCRs). Single alanine replacements showed that, unlike the classical MCRs, the His(5)-Phe(6)-Arg(7)-Trp(8) sequence in gamma2-MSH is not a core sequence for activating the gamma-MSH receptor in GH3 cells, whereas Met(3) is essential. gamma2-MSH increased binding of [35S]GTPgammaS to membrane preparations of GH3 cells. Blockade of protein kinase A abolished the [Ca(2+)](i) responses to gamma3-MSH, and low nanomolar doses of gamma3-MSH increased intracellular cAMP levels, which could be blocked by pertussis toxin (PTX). We conclude that the putative novel gamma-MSH receptor in GH3 cells is a GPCR, but with structure-activity and signal transduction features different from those of the classical MCRs.     

A post-calcium site of action for HA1004, a novel vasculorelaxant

The novel vasorelaxant HA1004 [N-(2-guanidinoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide] was investigated with regard to its effects on transmembrane Ca2+ movement in relation to tension development in the rabbit aortic strips. The contractile responses to KCl (40 mM) and norepinephrine (3 X 10(-7) M) were inhibited by HA1004 (1 and 3 X 10(-5) M) (49-78%), whereas the increases in 45Ca efflux (which reflects increases in cytosolic Ca2+ levels) were not affected. Moreover, HA1004 (1 and 3 X 10(-5) M) did not significantly affect 45Ca influx due to KCl stimulation. While HA1004 at 10(-5) M had no effect on norepinephrine-induced 45Ca influx, the drug at 3 X 10(-5) M showed significant inhibition. Based on this and previously reported work, it is concluded that HA1004 inhibits contraction mainly through uncoupling of the Ca-tension relations in vascular smooth muscle.     

Antagonism of relaxation to isoproterenol caused by agonist interactions

The interaction of contractile agonists on the relaxation elicited with isoproterenol (ISO) was studied in 112 tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) strips from 20 dogs in vitro. Strips were contracted to the same active target tension (TT) with acetylcholine (ACh), histamine (HIS), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), potassium chloride (KCl), or the combinations of ACh + HIS, ACh + 5-HT, HIS + KCl, HIS + 5-HT (50% TT from each agonist). Although a less potent agonist, adding HIS to cause 50% of the TT reduced the concentration of ACh to elicit the remaining 50% TT and substantially altered relaxation by ISO compared with HIS alone [concentration required to achieve 50% relaxation (RC50) = 9.2 +/- 2.4 X 10(-8) vs. 9.0 +/- 4.4 X 10(-9) M to HIS alone; P less than 0.003]. Relaxation for TSM strips contracted with ACh + HIS was comparable to that elicited from the same TT with ACh alone, although concentrations required in combination were lower than for either agonist alone. Trachealis strips contracted equivalently with KCl + HIS also had augmented contraction and attenuated relaxation (RC50 = 3.7 +/- 0.8 X 10(-8) M; P less than 0.015 vs. HIS alone). However, combinations of 5-HT + ACh and 5-HT + HIS did not alter relaxation to ISO from that elicited by the weaker agonist alone. We demonstrate that TSM relaxation depends on the combination of agonists eliciting contraction and may be inhibited substantially by interactions among contractile agonists.     

The molluscan neurosecretory peptide FMRFamide: comparative pharmacology and relationship to the enkephalins

The molluscan neuropeptide FMRFamide (Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2) has diverse actions on excitable tissues of molluscs, including hearts, noncardiac muscles, complex organs, and neurons. The intracellular transducing mechanisms are also diverse and are not readily correlated with particular responses. FMRFamide increases cyclic AMP levels concomitant with both cardioexcitation and inhibition, but not with muscle contraction. In the same tissues, the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine are dissimilar and are always accompanied by a cyclic AMP increase. FMRFamide and acetylcholine cause similar tonic contractions of the Busycon radula protractor muscle and identical catch contractures of the mytilid anterior byssus retractor muscle, but the ionic basis of excitation and the sources of activator calcium for contraction are not the same for the two agonists. A comparative study of structure-activity relations showed that FMRFamide receptors are heterogeneous. Helix aspersa ganglia contain no FMRFamide, but a close analog occurs and has been tentatively identified. Evidence supporting a proposed homology between FMRFamide-like and opioid peptides is summarized. The effects of the amphiactive heptapeptide Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 on the venus clam rectum support this hypothesis.     

Compared effects of ACTH, angiotensin II and POMC peptides on isolated human adrenal cells

Human adrenocortical tissue obtained, on eight occasions, at the time of nephrectomy for renal carcinoma (outside the adrenal pole) was treated by collagenase to dissociate the cells. These were hen submitted to a short, 2-h, incubation with the N-terminal fragment (16 K) of POMC, its derivative, gamma 3-MSH, beta-lipotropin and beta-endorphin, in parallel with ACTH 1-24 (Synacthen Ciba) and angiotensin II (AII, Hypertensin Ciba). Under the influence of ACTH (10(-10) M), and AII (10(-10) M), basal glucocorticoid output, including more than 80% cortisol, was increased by factors of 3 +/- 0.51 (SEM) and 1.35 +/- 0.12 (SEM), respectively. The corresponding aldosterone responses were 1.60 +/- 0.13 for ACTH and 1.38 +/- 0.09 for AII. With the exception of gamma 3-MSH, the POMC peptides under study had no steroidogenic effect. gamma 3-MSH (10(-9) M) and AII (10(-10) M) stimulated aldosterone production to approximately similar levels of, respectively, 1.23 +/- 0.05 and 1.38 +/- 0.09 times the basal production. In contrast to AII however, gamma 3-MSH showed no apparent effect on glucocorticoid output. Steroidogenic response to ACTH was potentiated by gamma 3-MSH at a concentration of 10(-10) M which, when used alone, proved ineffective. This potentiating effect was pronounced for the aldosterone response, whereas the glucocorticoid production was hardly affected. This action ceased to be visible when the cells reached maximal stimulation by ACTH. These findings suggest that gamma 3-MSH--a portion of the 16 K fragment--may have a possible role in aldosterone secretion.     

Cholinergic neuromodulation by prostaglandin D2 in canine airway smooth muscle

To determine whether prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) modulates cholinergic neurotransmission in airway smooth muscle and, if so, what the mechanism of action is, we studied bronchial segments from dogs under isometric conditions in vitro. PGD2 (10(-8)-10(-5) M) elicited dose-dependent muscle contraction, which was reduced after blockade of muscarinic receptors, so that 50% effective dose (ED50) increased from 1.3 +/- 0.3 X 10(-6) to 3.9 +/- 1.0 X 10(-6) M by atropine (10(-6) M) (mean +/- SE, P less than 0.05). Physostigmine, at a concentration insufficient to alter base-line tension (10(-8) M), enhanced the PGD2-induced contraction and decreased ED50 to 6.4 +/- 0.5 X 10(-7) M (P less than 0.05). When added at the highest doses that did not cause spontaneous contraction (1.9 +/- 0.5 X 10(-7) M), PGD2 increased the contractile response to electrical field stimulation (1-50 Hz) by 21.9 +/- 6.6% (P less than 0.001). In contrast to this effect, the response to administered acetylcholine was not affected by PGD2. On the other hand, PGD2-induced augmentation of the response to electrical field stimulation (5 Hz) was further increased from 23.6 +/- 3.0 to 70.4 +/- 8.8% in the presence of physostigmine (10(-8) M) and was abolished by atropine but not affected by the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine or the histamine H1-blocker pyrilamine. These results suggest that the contraction of airway smooth muscle induced by PGD2 is in in part mediated by a cholinergic action and that PGD2 prejunctionally augments the parasympathetic contractile response, likely involving the accelerated release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.     

Effects of mepacrine on uterine contractile responses

Mepacrine is a potent inhibitor of uterine contractile responses in vitro. Pretreatment of isolated rat uterine horns with mepacrine (1.3 X 10(-4)M) for periods of time ranging from 15 s to 5 min prior to the addition of carbachol (1.0 X 10(-4)M) showed that mepacrine could significantly reduce carbachol-induced uterine contractile responses within 15 s of exposure. The maximal inhibitory effects of mepacrine on uterine contractile responses were observed within 2 min of mepacrine treatment. A dose-response study related to the effect of increasing concentrations of mepacrine (7.5 X 10(-6) to 1.3 X 10(-4)M) on carbachol-induced (1 X 10(-4)M) uterine contractions revealed that a dose of 3.1 X 10(-5)M mepacrine reduced the carbachol-induced contraction by 50%. A dose of 7.8 X 10(-5)M mepacrine produced the maximal inhibitory effect on the carbachol-induced uterine contractions. Two doses of mepacrine (3.1 X 10(-5) and 1.3 X 10(-4)M) significantly reduced maximal contractile responses and shifted contractile dose-response curves of carbachol, oxytocin, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and BaCl2 to the right. Based on the nonselective inhibition by mepacrine of contractile responses induced by different uterotonic agents, these results suggest that mepacrine cannot be used to characterize the role of phospholipase in regulating the actions of hormones in uterine tissue.     

Activation-dependent descending reflex evacuation motority of anal canal in rat model

The evacuative motor responses of the anal canal and recto-anal reflexes during defecation were studied in an isolated rat recto-anal model preparation using (i) partitioned organ bath, (ii) electrical stimulation, (iii) balloon distension and (iv) morphological techniques. Electrical field stimulation applied to the anal canal or to the distal part of the rectum elicited tetrodotoxin (10(-7) M)-sensitive frequency-dependent local or descending contractions of the anal canal and the local responses were bigger in amplitude (14.9 ± 1.35 mN) than the descending contractions (5.3 ± 0.7 mN at frequency of 5 Hz, p < 0.05). The balloon-induced distension of the distal rectum evoked descending responses of the anal canal consisting of a short contraction (1.50 ± 0.18 mN) followed by deep relaxation (3.12 ± 0.34 mN). In the presence of atropine (3 x 10(-7) M) the electrically-elicited (5 Hz) local or descending contractions of the anal canal were suppressed and a relaxation revealed. The initial contraction component of the distension-induced response was decreased while the relaxation was not changed. During atropine treatment, spantide (10(-7) M) lowered even more the contractile component of the anal canal response. NG-nitro-L-arginine (5 x 10(-4) M) enhanced the contraction, prevented the atropine-dependent relaxation of the electrically-elicited response and inhibited the distension-induced relaxation. L-Arginine (5 x 10(-4) M) suppressed the contraction and extended the relaxation. ChAT-, substance P- and NADPH-diaphorase-positive perikarya and nerve fibers were observed in myenteric ganglia of the anal canal. The results suggest activation-dependent descending reflex motority of the anal canal involving electrical stimulation-displayed cholinergic and tachykininergic and distension manifested nitrergic neuro-muscular communications.     

A variety of Mytilus inhibitory peptides in the abrm of Mytilus edulis: Isolation and characterization

1. Five species of Mytilus inhibitory peptides, MIP_1–5, were isolated from acetone extracts of the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of Mytilus edulis. MIP₁ and MIP₂ were shown to be S²-MIP and A²-MIP, respectively, first isolated from the pedal ganglia of the animal.2. All the five peptides had a common C-terminal structure of -Pro-Xaa-Phe-Val-NH₂, which was shown to be important for their biological activity.3. The five MIPs showed similar inhibitory effects on contractions of the ABRM but did not affect catch tension and its relaxation.4. In addition to the MIPs, catch-relaxing peptide (CARP) was also found in the ABRM.     

FMRFamide receptors in Helix aspersa

An in vitro receptor binding assay and an isolated heart bioassay were developed and used to characterize the structure-activity relations (SAR) of FMRFamide receptors in a land snail, Helix aspersa. In the radioreceptor assay, binding of ¹²⁵I-desaminoTyr-Phe-norLeu-Arg-Phe-amide (¹²⁵I-daYFnLRFamide) at 0°C to Helix brain membranes was reversible, saturable, and specific, with a K_D of 14 nM and a B_max of 85 fmol/mg brain. A lower affinity site was also observed (K_D=245 nM; B_max=575 fmol/mg brain). In the heart bioassay, daYFnLRFamide and other FMRFamide analogs increased myocardial contraction force. The SAR of cardiostimulation correlated with the specificity of high affinity ¹²⁵I-daYFnLRFamide binding to brain and heart receptors. The SAR was also similar to that described for other molluscan FMRFamide bioassays, except for a marked preference for N-blocked analogs. Peptides with N-terminal extensions of desaminoTyr, Tyr, Tyr-Gly-Gly, and acetyl, exhibited the highest potency in both radioligand displacement and cardiostimulation. The endogenous Helix heptapeptide analogs of FLRFamide (pQDP-, NDP-, and SDP-FLRFamide) were stimulatory on the heart at low doses, but were inhibitory at moderate to high doses. These peptides were 20 times weaker than FMRFamide in both the brain and heart receptor binding assays, with IC₅₀s about 10 μM. The results suggest that the effects of FMRFamide in Helix are receptor-mediated, and that the heptapeptides do not interact at FMRFamide receptors.     

Presynaptic alpha-adrenoceptor mediated inhibition of the neurogenic cholinergic contraction in the isolated intestinal bulb of the carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The effects of norepinephrine, epinephrine and clonidine on neurogenic cholinergic contraction were examined in the presence of a beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent, carteolol (5 X 10(-6) M), in the isolated intestinal bulb of the carp. Norepinephrine, epinephrine (10(-9)-10(-6) M) and clonidine (10(-8)-10(-5) M) inhibited the contraction induced by low frequency (2 or 5 Hz) transmural stimulation (TMS) without inhibiting the contraction induced by acetylcholine (ACh, 6 X 10(-8)-4 X 10(-7) M). Methoxamine (10(-4) M) and phenylephrine (10(-4) M) showed no such inhibitory effect on the TMS-induced contraction. The inhibitory effects of catecholamines and clonidine were decreased by phentolamine (5.4 X 10(-6) M) and yohimbine (10(-7)-10(-6) M) but not by prazosin (7 X 10(-7)-10(-6) M). Nicotine (10(-6)-10(-4) M) and serotonin (3 X 10(-8)-3 X 10(-6) M) caused contraction of the intestinal bulb indirectly by releasing endogenous ACh. This contraction was inhibited by norepinephrine, epinephrine and clonidine in a concentration-dependent manner. The present results suggest that catecholamines and clonidine inhibit cholinergic transmission via the activation of a presynaptic alpha-adrenoceptor (presumably of alpha-2 type) located on the cholinergic nerve terminals innervating the smooth muscle of the intestinal bulb of the carp.     

The influence of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the acetylcholine-initiated contractions of isolated gastric muscularis muscle of Bufo marinus

Acetylcholine (ACh) (1.5 X 10(-5) M) elicited three different types of tonic and phasic contraction of muscularis muscle from different parts (cardiac, middle and pyloric) of the stomach of Bufo marinus. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (10(-9)-10(-6) M) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of tonic contractions elicited by ACh (1.5 x 10(-5) M) of strips from the cardiac part while potentiating the phasic contractions from the middle part of the stomach. PGE2 (10(-7) M) relaxed tonic contraction and potentiated phasic contraction concomitantly in preparations in which tonic and phasic contractions were elicited by ACh (1.5 x 10(-5) M). The effects of PGE2 on the preparation are related to the part of the stomach from where the strips are prepared and the muscle tone of the preparation.