Chromogranin A messenger RNA expression in the rat anterior pituitary is permissively regulated by the adrenal gland.
The influence of the adrenal gland on the expression of chromogranin A in the anterior pituitary was studied in the rat. Adrenalectomy caused a progressive and pronounced (20% of control levels at day 10 after adrenalectomy) decrease of Chromogranin A mRNA levels in anterior pituitary. Daily injection of dexamethasone (15 micrograms/animal, s.c.) fully reversed the postadrenalectomy decrement in chromogranin A mRNA levels. Chromogranin A protein content, however, was unchanged 10 days after adrenalectomy. In contrast, pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA levels were significantly elevated after adrenalectomy and restored to normal by dexamethasone, with a time course similar to the changes in chromogranin A mRNA levels. These data demonstrate that the adrenal gland permissively regulates chromogranin A expression in the anterior pituitary, at a pretranslational locus, and that this regulation is probably mediated by glucocorticoids.
Grino
M
M
Unit on Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Md.
Wohlfarter
T
T
Fischer-Colbrie
R
R
Eiden
L E
LE
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000235:genetics*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000502:physiology*; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C506153:chromogranin A, rat; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D003907:Dexamethasone