Neuropeptide gamma, the most potent contractile tachykinin in human isolated bronchus, acts via a 'non-classical' NK2 receptor. 
Cumulative contractile response curves to neurokinin A (NKA) and neuropeptide gamma (NP gamma) were obtained in human isolated bronchus, in the presence of phosphoramidon 10 microM. NP gamma was approximately 10-fold more potent than NKA (pD2 values 8.6 +/- 0.4 and 7.3 +/- 0.3 respectively, n = 6; P less than 0.01).  The NK1-selective agonist [Sar9, Met(O2)11]-SP and the NK3 selective agonist senktide produced negligible contraction.  Response curves to NP gamma and NKA were unaffected by the NK2 subtype-selective antagonist MDL 29913 at 2 microM, but NP gamma-induced contraction was markedly inhibited by 20 microM MDL 29,913.  Thus NP gamma is the most potent tachykinin in human isolated bronchus and its effects are mediated at a receptor which is not of the 'classical' NK2 subtype found in hamster urinary bladder.