Evidence for multiple tachykinin receptor subtypes on the rabbit iris sphincter muscle.

The actions of mammalian tachykinins (substance P, substance K/neurokinin a, neuromedin K/neurokinin b) and non-mammalian tachykinins (eledoisin, kassinin, physalaemin) were compared on the rabbit pupillary sphincter. All acted as direct spasmogens with potencies in the order: eledoisin greater than physalaemin = neurokinin b = substance P greater than kassinin greater than neurokinin a. However, their actions could be divided into at least two categories on the basis of similar kinetics of contractions, differential sensitivity to the tachykinin antagonist (D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9, Leu11) substance P and specific cross-protection against phenoxybenzamine inactivation by structurally related tachykinins. The relationship between these observations and the suggested "P" and "E" subtypes of tachykinin receptors is discussed.