Nerve growth factor, beta3-adrenoceptor and uncoupling protein 1 expression in rat brown fat during postnatal development.
An analysis was made of the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA and protein in the brown fat of rats at different ages, and the results compared with the expression of beta3-adrenoceptor and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). NGF, beta3-adrenoceptor, and UCP1 messenger RNA and protein levels were measured by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting in the brown fat of rats at different ages (from 20-day-old fetuses (E20) to 16-month-old rats). During the perinatal period, NGF production increased and then declined to adult levels (which are comparable with fetal levels) by eight months, and remained stable thereafter. Relatively low levels of NGF were present in the brown fat of aged rats. Taken together, these results suggest that NGF may be responsible for regulating sympathetic innervation during the perinatal and adult periods.
Nisoli
E
E
Centre for Study and Research on Obesity, Department of Pharmacology, Chemotherapy and Medical Toxicology, LITA Vialba, Ospedale L. Sacco, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milano, Italy. csro@imiucca.csi.unimi.it
Tonello
C
C
Carruba
M O
MO
D002001:Adipose Tissue, Brown / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007473:Ion Channels; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D022702:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D022702:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3; C000604373:Ucp1 protein, rat; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1