<b>Role of pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide in intracellular calcium dynamics of neurons and satellite cells in rat superior cervical </b><b>ganglia </b>

Abstract

Pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a bioactive peptide with diverse effects in the nervous system. The present study investigated whether stimulation of PACAP ] i in satellite cells; however, this was partly inhibited in neurons. U73122 or xestospongin C treatment completely and partly abrogated [Ca 2+ ] i changes in satellite cells and in neurons, respectively, whereas VPAC1R and VPAC2R agonists increased [Ca 2+ ] i in satellite cells only. This is the first report demonstrating the expression of PACAPRs specifically, VPAC1 and VPAC2 in SCG and providing evidence for PACAP38-induced [Ca 2+