QUANTITATIVE AUTORADIOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION OF [I-125] ENDOTHELIN-1 BINDING-SITES IN SPINAL-CORD AND DORSAL-ROOT GANGLIA OF THE RAT

The autoradiographic distribution of [I-125] endothelin (ET)-1 binding sites was studied in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of developing and adult rat. In the spinal cord, high density of [I-125]ET-1 binding sites were diffusely distributed throughout the grey matter whereas in the ganglia discrete silver grains were localised primarily on the satellite cells. A variation in the density of binding sites was evident, particularly in the spinal cord, during development. These data, in conjunction with other reports, suggest a possible neuromodulatory role for ET-1 in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of the rat.