Upregulation of the pro-opiomelanocortin gene in spinal motoneurones in muscular dystrophy in mice.
Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA was detected in motoneurones of mice using histochemical in situ hybridization and cDNA oligonucleotide probes for the adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) 4-11 and beta-endorphin 1-8 regions of POMC. Staining for POMC mRNA was negligible in motoneurones in normal adult mice but in dystrophic mice the mRNA was present in > 60% of the ventral horn cells. It is concluded that neuropathic change in motoneurones is accompanied by upregulation of the POMC gene and synthesis of POMC-derived peptides.
Hughes
S
S
Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Birmingham, UK.
Smith
M E
ME
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D015870:Gene Expression; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009137:Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; C032797:ACTH (4-11); D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone