Rm. Villalba et al., PRESENCE OF C-FLANKING PEPTIDE OF NEUROPEPTIDE-Y (C-PON)-IMMUNOREACTIVE NEURONS IN THE OLFACTORY CORTEX OF THE HEDGEHOG (ERINACEUS-EUROPAEUS), Neuroscience letters, 158(1), 1993, pp. 109-112
Although the presence of the neuropeptide C-terminal flanking peptide
of neuropeptide Y, C-PON, has been described in the central nervous sy
stem (CNS) of mammals, to date there is no information related with it
s involvement in brain functions. An analysis of the location of C-PON
in specific neuronal circuits of known anatomy and physiological acti
on should provide light on its physiological role. The presence, distr
ibution and morphology of C-PON-containing neurons in the olfactory co
rtex of the hedgehog was studied by immunocytochemistry. Immunoreactiv
e neurons to C-PON were widely distributed in the three layers of the
olfactory cortex of this primitive mammal. These neurons were medium s
ized and showed two or three immunostained, poorly branched, dendrites
. In some positive neurons, a fine, beaded axon-like process was also
immunostained. Although direct evidence of a physiological function of
C-PON in the olfactory cortex of the hedgehog cannot be accurately st
ated from our findings, the morphology of C-PON neurons and their dist
ribution in the deep cortical layers, where the majority of pyramidal
neurons are located, suggest that this neuropeptide may play a role in
the intrinsic neuronal circuitry of the relatively well-developed hed
gehog paleocortex. A regulatory vascular role of some peptide-immunore
active neurons can be inferred since occasional C-PON-positive neurons
have been located near blood vessels.