Upregulation of the POMC gene in rats by a neurotoxicant which targets motoneurones.
Immunocytochemistry and histochemical in situ hybridisation were used to detect POMC-derived peptides (beta-endorphin and alpha-MSH) and POMC mRNA respectively, in the lumbar spinal cord of adult rats. In normal rats the incidence of ventral horn cells which expressed the peptides or mRNA was negligible. However after treatment with IDPN a neurotoxicant which targets the motoneurones the peptides and POMC mRNA were detectable in over 65% of ventral horn motoneurones. After treatment with 1,3 DNB a neurotoxicant which does not target motoneurones immunostaining for the peptides and mRNA was negligible. Thus chemical intoxication of the motoneurones causes upregulation of the POMC gene.
Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Birmingham, England.
M E
ME
Smith
S
S
Hughes
M G
MG
Simpson
S L
SL
Allen
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D009570:Nitriles / Q000633:toxicity*; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D015854:Up-Regulation
D009570:Nitriles; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C008110:3,3'-iminodipropionitrile; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin