Long-sarafotoxins: characterization of a new family of endothelin-like peptides.

Sarafotoxins (SRTXs) constitute a family of vasoactive peptides that were initially isolated from the venom of Atractaspis engaddensis, and that are structurally and functionally related to endothelins (ETs). Analysis of the venom of Atractaspis microlepidota microlepidota revealed several new SRTX molecules manifesting some new structural and functional characteristics. These novel SRTXs are longer by three amino acids than the previously described SRTXs, and are designated here "long-SRTXs".

Response properties of auditory activated cells in the occipital cortex of the blind mole rat: an electrophysiological study.

Previous studies have demonstrated that despite its blindness, the subterranean blind mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) possesses a noticeable lateral geniculate nucleus and a typical cyto-architectural occipital cortex that are reciprocally connected. These two areas, as revealed by the metabolic tracer 2-deoxyglucose, are activated by auditory stimuli. Using single unit recordings, we show that about 57% of 325 cells located within the occipital cortex of anesthetized mole rats responded to at least one of the following auditory stimuli--white noise, pure tones, clicks, and amplitude modulated tones--with the latter two being the most effective.

Auditory activation of "visual" cortical areas in the blind mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi).

The mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) is a subterranean rodent whose adaptations to its fossorial life include an extremely reduced peripheral visual system and an auditory system suited for the perception of vibratory stimuli. We have previously shown that in this blind rodent the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, the primary visual thalamic nucleus of sighted mammals, is activated by auditory stimuli. In this report we focus on the manifestation of this cross-modal compensation at the cortical level.

Cross-modal neuroplasticity in neonatally enucleated hamsters: structure, electrophysiology and behaviour.

Potential auditory compensation in neonatally bilaterally enucleated Syrian hamsters was explored anatomically, electrophysiologically and behaviourally. Gross morphology of the visual cortex appeared normal and no obvious cytoarchitectural malformation was discerned. However, enucleation induced a significant increase in the spontaneous firing rate of visual cortex cells.

Visual, auditory and bimodal activity in the banks of the lateral suprasylvian sulcus in the cat.

In addition to visually driven cells we found within the lateral suprasylvian visual cortex of cats a considerable number of auditory and/or bimodal cells. Most of the visually driven cells were direction and orientation selective with responses that were neither highly stimulus time locked nor very stable. Most of the auditory responses were also not very stable, had relatively high thresholds, and were readily habituated.