The regional distribution of gamma 3-melanotropin-like peptides in bovine brain is correlated with adrenocorticotropin immunoreactivity but not with beta-endorphin

Distribution of Lys-gamma 2-melanocyte-stimulating hormone- (Lys-gamma 2-MSH)-like immunoreactivity in neuronal elements in the brain and peripheral tissues of the rat

Using an antiserum raised against Lys- gamma 2-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (Lys- gamma 2-MSH), with a high specificity for this peptide and its des-Lys derivative, gamma 2-MSH, we found Lys- gamma 2-MSH-like immunoreactivity to have a widespread distribution in the rat brain. In colchicine-treated rats, groups of immunopositive cell bodies were found in the intermediate and anterior lobes of the pituitary gland, in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and in the commissural part of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). Immunopositive fibers were found to originate from the latter two cell body regions. The distribution of these fibers was similar to that of the pro-opiomelanocortin containing cell bodies and projections as it has been described previously. Immunopositive terminals were found in brain region containing neurons which have been shown to express mRNA for melanocortin receptors, though the distribution of Lys-gamma 2-MSH-like immunoreactivity is considerably more widespread than that of mRNA for the 'gamma-MSH receptor' (the melanocortin MC3 receptor), which has been reported to be mainly expressed in the hypothalamus. In the periphery Lys-gamma 2-MSH immunoreactivity was localized in the adrenal medulla and in neuronal fibers and varicosities in the heart. The vascular system, the bronchi and kidney were immunonegative. The occurrence of Lys-gamma 2-MSH immunoreactivity in many of the brain regions which are involved in cardiovascular regulation offers leads for further studies on the putative role of gamma-MSHs in cardiovascular control. The occurrence in the rat heart of Lys-gamma 2-MSH-containing fibers suggests a role of the gamma-MSHs in cardiac function.

Rat brain regional distribution and spinal cord neuronal pathway of FLFQPQRF-NH2, a mammalian FMRF-NH2-like peptide

Phe-Leu-Phe-Gln-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe-NH2 (F-8-NH2) is a peptide, originally detected by FMRF-NH2 antisera, and subsequently isolated from bovine brain. Using a specific radioimmunoassay for F-8-F-NH2, we have examined the regional distribution and characteristics of F-8-F-NH2 immunoreactivity (IR) in rat brain, spinal cord and pituitary gland. In CNS, F-8-F-NH2-IR is highly concentrated in the spinal cord, hypothalamus and pons-medulla (368, 202 and 136 fmol per mg protein, respectively); lowest values are in the cortex and hippocampus. A modest rostrocaudal gradient of F-8-F-NH2-IR was observed; levels in the sacral cord are 50% higher than in the cervical cord. Dorsal cord content is 8 times higher than in the ventral cord. Dorsal rhizotomy failed to change F-8-F-NH2-IR in the affected regions of the spinal cord while significantly reducing substance P levels. F-8-F-NH2-IR was significantly decreased caudal to a spinal transection, indicating the presence of a descending pathway within the spinal cord. The highest concentration of F-8-F-NH2-IR (1008 fmol per mg protein) was found in the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary, while no F-8-F-NH2-IR could be detected in the anterior lobe. Immunohistochemically, F-8-F-NH2-IR was confined to nerve terminal-like structures in the neural lobe. The anterior and intermediate lobes were devoid of immunoreactive structures. HPLC characterization of F-8-F-NH2-IR in the dorsal spinal cord, medulla-pons and pituitary revealed one major immunoreactive peak which is more hydrophobic than bovine F-8-F-NH2. In addition to this material, the hypothalamus was found to contain another, more abundant F-8-F-NH2-immunoreactive peak. Analysis of F-8-F-NH2-IR from posterior pituitary with various antisera having differing affinities for F-8-F-NH2 and gamma 1-MSH indicates that the F-8-F-NH2-IR of rat pituitary is not due to gamma 1-MSH. The high concentration of F-8-F-NH2-like peptide in the dorsal spinal cord supports a role in mediating nociceptive transmission while the localization of F-8-F-NH2-IR in the posterior pituitary suggests an additional autonomic or endocrine function.

Biochemical characterization of FMRF-NH2-like peptides in spinal cords of various mammalian species using specific radioimmunoassays

Phe-Leu-Phe-Gln-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe-NH2 (F-8-F-NH2) and Ala-Gly-Glu-Gly-Leu-Ser-Ser-Pro-Phe-Trp-Ser-Leu-Ala-Ala-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe-NH2 (A-18-F-NH2), originally detected by FMRF-NH2 antiserum and subsequently isolated from bovine brain, were found to be highly localized in the bovine spinal cord. Using specific radioimmunoassays coupled with HPLC, F-8-F-NH2 and A-18-F-NH2 immunoreactivities in spinal cord of bovine, rat, mouse, guinea pig and human were studied. One major F-8-F-NH2 immunoreactivity was detected in the spinal cord of every species except in human, however, the retention time of F-8-F-NH2 immunoreactivity appears to vary from species to species. In the human spinal cord three major F-8-F-NH2 immunoreactivities are detected and one of them was eluted in the position of F-8-F-NH2. Two major A-18-F-NH2 immunoreactivities were detected in every species except guinea pig; one of these immunoreactivities can be identified as F-8-F-NH2 immunoreactivity due to the high affinity of the A-18-F-NH2 antiserum to F-8-F-NH2. F-8-F-NH2 and A-18-F-NH2 immunoreactivities can also be clearly detected by FMRF-NH2 antiserum, however, the quantities of these peptides can be grossly underestimated by the FMRF-NH2 RIA. These results confirm that there is a novel system of FMRF-NH2-like peptides in mammalian CNS and some of them are more closely related to the bovine peptides, F-8-F-NH2 and A-18-F-NH2 than to FMRF-NH2.

Ontogeny of gamma-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in the brain and hypophysis of the rat: an immunohistochemical analysis

The ontogeny of gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone (gamma-MSH)-like immunoreactive (gamma-MSHI) structures in the brain and hypophysis was investigated in the rat by means of indirect immunofluorescence. gamma-MSHI neurons in the arcuate nucleus appeared at Day 13 of gestation, in the anterior hypophysis at Day 16, in the intermediate lobe at Day 18, and in the nucleus commissuralis after birth. gamma-MSHI fibers first appeared at Day 15 of gestation in the hypothalamic area and extended dorsally to reach the surface of the diencephalon. At Day 16 of gestation, another gamma-MSHI fiber bundle was found that ran laterally along the ventral surface of the diencephalon. At Day 19, immunoreactive fibers first appeared in the forebrain, diencephalon, midbrain and upper pons, and thereafter they increased in number, reaching a maximum at postnatal Day 15. gamma-MSHI fibers in the lower pons and medulla oblongata first appeared after birth. They also increased in number with age and reached a maximum at postnatal Day 15. The present ontogenetical study has demonstrated the different times of first appearance of each of the 3 major gamma-MSHI structures-containing cell groups in the brain, i.e., the arcuate nucleus, hypophysis and nucleus commissuralis. These findings may reflect the different functions of 3 groups of cells.

Dynorphin-A(1-8) and gamma-melanotropin exist within different myenteric plexus neurons of rat duodenum

Using the adjacent serial section staining technique and the double staining elution method, it was demonstrated that the opioid peptide dynorphin-A(1-8), originating from the prodynorphin precursor, and gamma 3-melanotropin (gamma 3-MSH), originating from the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) precursor, did not co-exist within myenteric plexus perikarya of the rat duodenum. This finding resembles that of the rat brain. Whether gamma 3 -MSH and dynorphin-A(1-8) act synergistically or antagonize each other in some physiological functions or have no interaction at all in the rat duodenum is as yet unknown.

gamma-Melanotropin is contained within neurons, nerve fibres and nerve endings of rat duodenum

Using an immunofluorescence microscopic technique a gamma 3-melanotropin staining is to recognize within neuronal cell bodies and nerve fibres as well as within nerve endings of the rat duodenum. These perikarya have a broad, gamma 3-melanotropin immunofluorescent cytoplasm rim which surrounds a round unstained cell nucleus. They possess often a pear-shaped cell body and are located mainly in the myenteric plexus, but also in the submucous plexus. gamma 3-Melanotropin immunoreactive nerve fibres and nerve fibre-strands are to see in the myenteric plexus neuropil and lamina propria as well as in interconnecting nerve strands lying between the longitudinal and circular smooth muscle layers. Nerve endings immunoreactive to gamma 3-melanotropin are in close association with submucosal blood vessels, probably arterioles, and smooth muscle cells of the circular smooth muscle layer.

The distribution and projection of gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone in the rat brain: an immunohistochemical analysis

The distribution and projection of immunoreactive gamma-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (gamma-MSHI) in the rat brain was examined by indirect immunofluorescence using an antiserum against synthetic rat gamma-MSH. The present study confirmed the presence of gamma-MSHI neurons in the arcuate nucleus and further demonstrated that the n. commissuralis is a new gamma-MSHI neurons-containing site. We also found a gamma-MSHI fiber network in the hypothalamus, thalamus, amygdala, central gray matter of the midbrain and upper pons, and further demonstrated a much more extensive distribution of these fibers particularly in the medulla oblongata, an area previously thought not to contain gamma-MSHI structures. The present observation on the normal distribution of gamma-MSHI suggested the existence of two different systems: one is the arcuatofugal gamma-MSH system and the other n. commissuralis gamma-MSH system. Using experimental manipulations, we clearly established that gamma-MSHI fibers in the forebrain, diencephalon, midbrain and upper pons originate from gamma-MSHI neurons in the arcuate nucleus and those in the medulla oblongata from the n. commissuralis .

Novel peptide neuronal system in rat brain and pituitary

Immunohistofluorescence studies of the rat central nervous system with antibodies to Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (molluskan cardioexcitatory peptide) revealed a widespread neuronal system in the brain, spinal cord, and posterior pituitary. Immunoreactive axons and cell bodies were mainly located in cortical, limbic, and hypothalamic areas. Immunostaining of serial sections of the brain and pituitary showed that the Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 immunoreactive neurons were different from neurons labeled by antibodies to either Met-enkephalin or the putative Met-enkephalin precursor Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-Arg-Phe, which is structurally related to Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2. Control staining by antiserum absorption and radioimmunoassay indicated that the antibodies that caused the specific immunofluorescence recognized peptides with an amidated Arg-Phe sequence at the carboxyl terminus.