Substance P ELISA

Substance P is an undecapeptide that displays numerous biological activities. The peptide was first discovered in 1931 by von Euler and Gaddum (3) . They reported that extracts of equine brain and intestine contained a hypotensive and spasmogenic factor. The preparation, termed preparation P, was later found to be proteinaceous (4). The isolation and characterization of Substance P was carried out by Leeman’s group in 1970 (5,6). Substance P is synthesized in the ribosomes as a larger protein and then enzymatically converted into the active peptide. The peptide is widely distributed in the peripheral and central nervous systems of vertebrates, where it is thought to act as a neurotransmitter (7- 9) . In the peripheral system, Substance P is localized in the primary sensory neurons and neurons intrinsic to the gastrointestinal tract. Excellent reviews on the distribution and action of Substance P and other tachykinins are available (10-13). See instructions for use for references.