Identification of a sex steroid-inducible gene in the neonatal rat hypothalamus.
By the cDNA subtraction between cDNA preparations from androgenized and intact neonate rats hypothalami, granulin/ epithelin (grn) gene was identified as a gene enriched by androgenization. Strong grn mRNA signals were detected by in situ hybridization in the ventromedial nucleus (VMH) and the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus of a 5-day-old male. The grn gene expression level in the hypothalamus was similar between males and females at birth. At 10 days of age, this level was maintained in males, but decreased to 1/4 in females. Thus, grn can be the gene of which expression in the VMH and ARC is sustained by endogenous androgen in male neonates.
Suzuki
M
M
Department of Veterinary Physiology, Veterinary Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan.
Yoshida
S
S
Nishihara
M
M
Takahashi
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D000077153:Progranulins; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014697:Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C084619:Grn protein, rat; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D000077153:Progranulins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013739:Testosterone