Minoru Sakaguchi, Takeshi Fujimori, Tomoko Satoh and Eiko Matsumura*
Laboratory of Cell Biology, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 4-20-1 Nasahara, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1094, Japan
*Corresponding author. FAX: +81-726-90-1078, E-mail: matumre@oysun01.oups.ac.jp
Abstract: We studied the effects of b-casomorphins (b-CMs, m-acting opioid peptides from milk protein b-casein) on survival of primary-cultured chick dorsal root ganglion neurons in the presence of nerve growth factor. b-CM-5 and b-CM-7 had potent neuronal survival-promoting activities. b-CM-4 amide (morphiceptin) and des-Tyr1-b-CM-7 also exhibited the similar promoting effects, although their effects were very weak. The promoting effect of b-CM-5 was prevented by co-administration of naloxone, or pretreatment with pertussis toxin. These results suggest that the neuronal survival-promoting effects of b-CMs might be mediated through opioid receptors coupled to G proteins.
Keywords: b-Casomorphin, Neuronal survival, Chick dorsal root ganglion neuron
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