title: Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and POMC-derived peptides immunolocalization in the skin of Protopterus annectens, an African lungfish.
abstract: Antisera against adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and beta-endorphin were used to localize, by immunohistochemistry, proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides in the skin excised from different regions of the African lungfish Protopterus annectens. Immunoreactivity was observed in the epidermis mainly in the germinal layer. Using human POMC cDNA as hybridization probe, POMC-like mRNA was identified in situ in epidermal cells. The demonstration in the same cells of POMC mRNA and POMC-related peptides immunoreactivity indicates a local production of opiate hormones.
authors: Department of Experimental, Environmental and Applied Biology, University of Genova, Italy. uvab@unige.it
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Masini
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Sturla
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Pestarino
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Facchinetti
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gallinelli
authors: B M
authors: BM
authors: Uva
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000032:analysis; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000521:alpha-MSH; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone