title: Corticotropin releasing factor mRNA and peptide levels are differentially regulated in the developing ovine brain.
abstract: The regulation of CRF mRNA and protein in the developing ovine brain has been studied to assess the hypothesis that CRF is differentially regulated in the hypothalamus (Hypo), hippocampal-amygdala complex (H & A), frontal cerebral cortex (FCC) and brainstem (BS). We used a quantitative RNase protection assay and radioimmunoassay to determine mRNA and peptide concentrations, respectively, from the last third of gestation until term (i.e., from 95 to 142 days gestation (dg); term approximately 145 days). The major findings from this study are: (1) Hypothalamic CRF mRNA was increased by 2-fold in 140-142 dg fetuses compared to 128-138 and 95-123 dg fetuses; P = 0.016. (2) In the hypothalamus of 140-142 dg fetuses, there was a 2.5-fold increase in CRF mRNA derived from polyadenylation at poly(A) sites 2, 3 or 4; P = 0.005. (3) In 128-138 dg fetuses, CRF mRNA in the frontal cortex was 2-fold higher than in the other brain regions during this time period; P = 0.008. (4) CRF peptide concentrations in the Hypo were 2.5-fold higher in 140-142 dg fetuses compared to 95-106 and 128-138 dg fetuses; P = 0.007. (5) CRF peptide concentrations in the frontal cortex were 5.5-fold higher in 140-142 dg fetuses compared to fetuses at 95-106 dg; P = 0.004. (6) CRF peptide concentrations in the H & A were 5-fold higher in 140-142 dg fetuses compared to 95-106 dg fetuses; P = 0.029. The results from the present study demonstrate for the first time that CRF mRNA and peptide are differentially regulated in a region-specific manner during development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1083.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Keiger
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: O'Steen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sorci-Thomas
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Zehnder
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005865:Gestational Age; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012756:Sheep / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D005326:Fetal Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone