title: Cellular localization of proenkephalin mRNA in rat brain: gene expression in the caudate-putamen and cerebellar cortex.
abstract: The cellular locations of proenkephalin mRNA have been determined for the caudate-putamen and cerebellar cortex of the rat brain by in situ hybridization. In the caudate-putamen, more than half of the neurons express the proenkephalin gene. Morphologically, they are medium-sized cells that may represent projection neurons. In the cerebellar cortex, proenkephalin mRNA is present in a subpopulation of neurons in the granule layer that appear to be Golgi cells--i.e., inhibitory interneurons. The presence of [Met]enkephalin, a pentapeptide derived from proenkephalin, in these two brain areas is consistent with a synthetic role for this mRNA and implicates proenkephalin gene expression in the control of motor function.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Shivers
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Harlan
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Howells
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Pfaff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D002525:Cerebellar Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000235:genetics*; D005796:Genes; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics*; D011699:Putamen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D004745:Enkephalins; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C029992:proenkephalin; D004247:DNA