title: The opiomelanocortin peptide family: neuronal expression and modulation of neural cellular development and regeneration in the central nervous system.
abstract: 1. Pro-OMLC is amongst a small number of propeptide-encoding genes which are expressed at highest levels in the CNS early in development. 2. The reappearance of the peptide products in injured neurones suggests that they fulfill a function in neuronal growth, differentiation and regeneration. 3. Axonal cues may regulate gene expression in neurones with greater or less functional interaction with their target cells. 4. alpha-MSH and ACTH stimulate the differentiation of neurones by accelerating their energy uptake and axonal growth during its early phases. 5. Their neurotrophic action is mediated through a common N-terminal amino acid sequence. 6. The structure activity requirements of the molecular second messenger responses underlying this action have yet to be conclusively determined. 7. Endorphins may regulate the transition from the mitotic cycle to the onset of differentiation of neurones and glia in the CNS. 8. Little is yet known of the cellular mechanism underlying this response, but the control of peptide processing to favour opiate and non-opiate receptor-mediated responses may be a key factor in determining whether they accelerate or retard neuronal differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Haynes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009417:Nerve Tissue / Q000254:growth & development; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin