Development of hypothalamic opioid neurons: a combined immunocytochemical and [3H]thymidine autoradiographic study.
Using a combined technique of immunocytochemistry and [3H]thymidine autoradiography, we have determined the "birth-date" of opioid peptide containing neurons in three hypothalamic nuclei. These include proopiomelanocortin neurons (indicated by ACTH immunoreactivity) in the arcuate nucleus, dynorphin A neurons in the supraoptic nucleus, and [Leu]enkephalin neurons in the periventricular nucleus. Arcuate proopiomelanocortin neurons were born very early in embryonic development, with peak heavy [3H]thymidine nuclear labelling occurring on embryonic day E12. Supraoptic dynorphin A neurons were also labelled relatively early (peak at E13). By contrast, [Leu]enkephalin neurons in the periventricular nucleus exhibited peak heavy nuclear labelling on day E14. The results indicate a differential genesis of these three opioid peptide containing neuronal groups in three different hypothalamic nuclei.
Khachaturian
H
H
Alessi
N E
NE
Lewis
M E
ME
Munfakh
N
N
Fitzsimmons
M D
MD
Watson
S J
SJ
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D004399:Dynorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004743:Enkephalin, Leucine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D004743:Enkephalin, Leucine; D004399:Dynorphins; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013936:Thymidine