Peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase activity in spinal cord, dorsal roots, and dorsal root ganglia of Macaca fascicularis

Several peptides synthesized by primary sensory neurons are α-amidated at the C-terminal residue, including vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, neurokinin A and substance P, which is also abundant in spinal cord. In pituitary and other tissues, the C-terminal amidation is catalyzed by peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM). In the present study, soluble PAM activity in spinal cord and in primary sensory neurons is quantified and characterized as to cofactor and cosubstrate requirements and substrate specificity.