Haynes L W, Smith M E
Neurosci Lett. 1985 Jul 4;58(1):13-8. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(85)90321-0.
Two derivatives of the stem hormone opiomelanocortin, alpha-melanotropin (alpha-MSH) and beta-endorphin, were detected immunocytochemically in the cell bodies and in the peripheral axon terminals of spinal motoneurones in immature but not in adult healthy mice. Immunoreactivity was demonstrated in motoneurones in both immature and adult mice with inherited muscular dystrophy. These results provide evidence for a motoneurone abnormality in murine dystrophy. The observations are discussed in the light of trophic influences over neuromuscular transmission which have been attributed to this family of neuropeptides.
