title: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 in the adrenal gland and PC12 cells: developmental expression and regulation by extrinsic molecules.
abstract: In the present study we have analyzed the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR-1) mRNA in the developing and adult rat adrenal gland and in PC12 cells under different culture conditions. For this purpose a sensitive ribonuclease protection assay using 33P-labelled riboprobes was established. 33P-labelled riboprobes show a high resolution and are relatively easy to handle. FGFR-1 mRNA was found to be present in the postnatal and adult adrenal gland. In the cortex high levels of FGFR-1 mRNA were detected at postnatal day (P) 1 and P8, during the third week the mRNA levels declined, and reached low levels during adulthood. PC12 cells also contained detectable amounts of FGFR-1 mRNA. With the exception of NGF, however, the different treatment procedures did not affect FGFR-1 mRNA levels. The expression pattern of the FGFR-1 transcript matches that of the expression of FGF-2 and of the mitotic activity in the developing and adult cortex. This supports the idea that FGF-2 might act as an autocrine mitogen for adrenocortical cells. In the medulla FGFR-1 mRNA levels were low at the first 3 postnatal weeks and increased towards the adult. In accordance with the developing expression pattern of FGF-2 in the medulla and in vitro effects of this protein on chromaffin and PC12 cells an autocrine/paracrine role as a maintenance and differentiation factor for chromaffin cells is conceivable.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, University of Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meisinger
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hertenstein
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grothe
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051496:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D012260:Ribonucleases
chemical_list: D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; C496350:Fgfr1 protein, rat; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051496:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1; D012260:Ribonucleases