Central and peripheral cardiovascular, ventilatory, and motor effects of trout urotensin-II in the trout

Peptides. 2008 May;29(5):830-7. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2007.06.020. Epub 2007 Jun 28.

Abstract

Urotensin-II (U-II) was originally considered to be exclusively the product of the caudal neurosecretory system (CNSS) of teleost fish, but it has now been demonstrated that U-II is widely expressed in peripheral tissues and nervous structures of species from lampreys to mammals. However, very little is known regarding the physiological effects of this peptide in its species of origin. In the present review, we summarize the most significant results relating to the cardiovascular, ventilatory, and motor effects of centrally and peripherally administered synthetic trout U-II in our experimental animal model, the unanesthetized trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. In addition, we compare the actions of U-II with those of other neurohormonal peptides, particularly with the actions of urotensin-I, a 41-amino acid residue peptide paralogous to corticotropin-releasing hormone that is co-localized with U-II within neurons of the CNSS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular System / drug effects*
  • Central Nervous System / anatomy & histology
  • Central Nervous System / drug effects
  • Central Nervous System / physiology
  • Motor Activity / drug effects*
  • Oncorhynchus mykiss / physiology*
  • Respiratory System / drug effects*
  • Urotensins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Urotensins
  • urotensin I
  • urotensin II