Chronic stimulation of the peroneal nerve in rats upregulates the pro-opiomelanocortin gene in spinal motoneurones.
Continuous unilateral stimulation of the peroneal nerve in rats for 8 h per day for 2 or 7 days caused significant increases in POMC mRNA and beta-endorphin immunoreactivity in both ipsilateral and contralateral motoneurones. Intermittent stimulation, for 10-min periods with 90-min rest periods, for 8 h per day for 2 days also caused upregulation of POMC mRNA. It is suggested that expression of POMC-derived peptides in motoneurones may be important for maintaining muscle contractile function.
Hughes
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S
Division of Medical Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, Birmingham, UK.
Shiner
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RA
Smith
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ME
D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin