Vasoactive intestinal peptide gene expression from embryos to aging rats.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) gene transcripts were demonstrated by RNA blot hybridization using VIP-specific RNA hybridization probes. High levels of expression were observed as early as in 16-day-old embryos. In aging rats, the VIP-mRNA levels were reduced significantly (in the cerebral cortex) as compared to 21-day-old rats. Our results suggest a role for the VIP gene protein products during embryonal development. During aging processes the decrease in VIP gene transcripts may be a consequence of either a reduction in the transcriptional activity of VIP neurons or death of VIP-producing cells.
Gozes
I
I
Department of Hormone Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Schächter
P
P
Shani
Y
Y
Giladi
E
E
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005865:Gestational Age; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide