The expression and physiological function of CRF neuron in the myenteric plexus of enteric nervous system of guineapig

Objective To investigate the express ion and physiological function of CRF in enteric nervous system. Methods RT-PCR and immunofluorescene were combinded to study the expression of CRF and the morphology of neurons expressing CRF in the myente ric plexus of enteric nervous system of guinea pig. Electrophysiological intrace llular recording and biocytin tracing were combined to investigate the electrica l and synaptic behavior in the colon during exposure to CRF in guinea pig. Results There were neurons expressing CRF mRNA in the myenter i c plexus of guinea pig. The neurons were all Dogiel Ⅰtype ones by morphological classification. CRF could evoke a slowly activating depolarizing response that associated with enhanced excitability in myenteric neurons in colon. The cells e xcited by CRF were all expressed with CRF1 receptor. Conclusion CRF is the neurotransmitter in the enteric nervous system, and it that would induce slow excitatory depolarization potentials.