Angiotensin IV inhibits neurite outgrowth in cultured embryonic chicken sympathetic neurones

Angiotensin IV (Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe) is reported to enhance apomorphine induced stereotypy and to improve memory recall through actions on specific binding sites in the central nervous system. In the present study, 10 nM angiotensin IV or angiotensin II inhibited neurite outgrowth from cultured El1 chicken paravertebral sympathetic neurones by 25%. The effects of both peptides were inhibited by a 1 μM concentration of the angiotensin IV analogues, WSU 4042, Nle¹-Y-1-amide or Nle¹-AIV, but not by the avian angiotensin II antagonists. [Sar¹,Ile⁸]Ang II or CGP 42112, suggesting that the inhibition of neurite outgrowth by both peptides is mediated by the angiotensin IV binding site. These results suggest that angiotensin IV may be involved in neurite modelling and may therefore have an important role in neuronal development.