NPY-induced neurotransmitter release from the rabbit and chicken retina.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) or closely related peptides are present in the retina of certain vertebrates, but their actions are not known. We have therefore studied the NPY-induced release of [3H]-GABA, [3H]-glycine, [3H]-dopamine, [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine, and [3H]-choline chloride-derived radioactivity in the rabbit and chicken retina. NPY affected the release of [3H]-glycine, [3H]-dopamine, [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine, and [3H]-choline chloride-derived radioactivity in rabbit retina and of [3H]-GABA, [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine and [3H]-choline chloride-derived radioactivity in chicken retina in an energy requiring, NA+K(+)-ATPase dependent and calcium dependent manner. Certain related peptides, APP (= avian pancreatic polypeptide), BPP (= bovine pancreatic polypeptide), and PYY (= peptide YY), had variable and less pronounced effects. The results suggest a neurophysiological role in both chicken and rabbit retina for NPY or some related peptide.