Pro-dynorphin is endogenous to the anterior pituitary and is co-localized with LH and FSH in the gonadotrophs.
Pro-dynorphin peptides have been shown to exist in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. The dynorphin in the anterior lobe is distinct from that which is co-localized with vasopressin in the magnocellular system in both post-translational processing and regulation of release. Here, we report on the existence of pro-dynorphin mRNA, approximately 2400 nucleotides in length, in the anterior lobe. Furthermore, we present immunocytochemical evidence for the co-existence of dynorphin, LH and FSH in a subset of gonadotrophs. These findings suggest a possible role of pro-dynorphin products in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000032:analysis*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000032:analysis* / Q000166:cytology; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D004745:Enkephalins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C033660:preproenkephalin