Increase in galanin and neuropeptide Y mRNA in locus coeruleus following acute reserpine treatment.
Galanin and neuropeptide Y are known to coexist with noradrenaline in neurones of the locus coeruleus. Furthermore, reserpine depletes noradrenaline from, and increases the synthesis and activity of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase in, this nucleus. We have found by in situ hybridization of specific 35S-labelled oligonucleotide probes that a single dose of reserpine (10 mg/kg) induced a significant (70-145%) and long-lasting (up to at least 3 days) increase in the amount of galanin and neuropeptide Y mRNA in the locus coeruleus (along with the characteristic increase in tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA). These results suggest a similar reserpine-sensitive mechanism of galanin, neuropeptide Y and tyrosine hydroxylase gene regulation.
University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
A L
AL
Gundlach
S D
SD
Rutherfurd
W J
WJ
Louis
D000818:Animals; D003720:Densitometry; D019004:Galanin; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000235:genetics*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D010455:Peptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019004:Galanin; D012110:Reserpine