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Meng F, Li J, Han X, Li L, Li T, Du X, Cao X, Liang Q, Huang A, Kong F, Zeng X, Bu G. TAC3 regulates GnRH/gonadotropin synthesis in female chickens. Theriogenology 2024; 215:302-311. [PMID: 38128223 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Neurokinin B (NKB), a peptide encoded by the tachykinin 3 (TAC3), is critical for reproduction in all studied species. However, its potential roles in birds are less clear. Using the female chicken (c-) as a model, we showed that cTAC3 is composed of five exons with a full-length cDNA of 787 bp, which was predicted to generate the mature NKB peptide containing 10 amino acids. Using cell-based luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrated that cNKB could effectively and specifically activate tachykinin receptor 3 (TACR3) in HEK293 cells, suggesting its physiological function is likely achieved via activating cTACR3 signaling. Notably, cTAC3 and cTACR3 were predominantly and abundantly expressed in the hypothalamus of hens and meanwhile the mRNA expression of cTAC3 was continuously increased during development, suggesting that NKB-TACR3 may emerge as important components of the neuroendocrine reproductive axis. In support, intraperitoneal injection of cNKB could significantly promote hypothalamic cGnRH-Ι, and pituitary cFSHβ and cLHβ expression in female chickens. Surprisingly, cTAC3 and cTACR3 were also expressed in the pituitary gland, and cNKB treatment significantly increased cLHβ and cFSHβ expression in cultured primary pituitary cells, suggesting cNKB can also act directly at the pituitary level to stimulate gonadotropin synthesis. Collectively, our results reveal that cNKB functionally regulate GnRH/gonadotropin synthesis in female chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyan Meng
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China.
| | - Jinxuan Li
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China
| | - Xingfa Han
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China
| | - Lingyang Li
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China
| | - Tianyang Li
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China
| | - Xiaogang Du
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China
| | - Xiaohan Cao
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China
| | - Qiuxia Liang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China
| | - Anqi Huang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China
| | - Fanli Kong
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China
| | - Xianyin Zeng
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China
| | - Guixian Bu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road, Ya'an, 625014, PR China.
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