title: Localization of basic FGF-like immunoreactivity in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal neuroendocrine axis.
abstract: We examined the localization of basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF) in the adult rat brain by immunohistochemical and Western blotting analysis using a specific antibody against a synthetic basic FGF fragment (N-terminal 12 residues). The antibody did not cross-react with acidic FGF. Basic FGF-like immunoreactivity was located exclusively in the neuronal elements and had very heterogeneous distribution. Immunoreactive cell bodies were observed in the paraventricular, supraoptic and circular nuclei of the hypothalamus. Numerous immunoreactive neuronal processes originating from these basic FGF-positive cells extended lateroventrally and then caudally to the internal layer of the median eminence. In addition, the neurohypophysis contained a significant number of basic FGF-like immunoreactive fibers. Western-blotting analysis revealed that the hypothalamus and the hypophysis contained a main band of basic FGF immunoreactive with an apparent molecular weight of 17 kDa. These results show that the hypothalamo-hypophyseal neuroendocrine pathway contains basic FGF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroanatomy, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matsuyama
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Okumura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Imaizumi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shiosaka
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000032:analysis*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D007106:Immune Sera; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000737:chemistry; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D007106:Immune Sera; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2