DISTRIBUTION OF HIPPOCAMPAL CHOLINERGIC NEUROSTIMULATING PEPTIDE (HCNP)-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN ORGANS AND TISSUES OF YOUNG WISTER RATS

This report concerns the distribution of the hippocampal cholinergic n eurostimulating peptide (HCNP) in tissues and organs of 11-day-old Wis tar rats. HCNP, originally isolated and purified from the hippocampus of young rats, is an undecapeptide etyl-Ala-Ala-Asp-Ile-Ser-Gln-Trp-Al a-Gly-Pro-Leu). HCNP distribution was investigated by using immunohist ochemical techniques, employing an affinity-purified rabbit antibody t hat specifically recognizes HCNP and its 21-kDa precursor protein. Pos itively stained cells were detected in a variety of tissues and organs , including salivary gland, small intestine, colon, pancreas, bronchio le, adrenal gland, testis, as well as several others. The nerve fibres around blood vessels of almost all organs expressed HCNP. Our results suggest that HCNP or its precursor, or both, may have a specific func tion not only in the central nervous system, but also in the periphera l nervous system, and possibly in certain specialized duct and gland c ells as well.