Gene expression in the supraoptic nucleus.
The magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) express multiple kinds of genes, including not only the classical hormones arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT), but also other physiologically active substances including neuropeptides, their receptors, and nitric oxide (NO) synthase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of NO under physiological condition. For example, osmotic stimuli such as dehydration and chronic salt loading cause a wide range of changes of the expression levels of the genes and marked induction of the expression of the genes in the SON. The expression of the NO synthase gene in the SON under physiological conditions is reviewed.
Ueta
Yoichi
Y
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan. yoichi@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
Levy
Andrew
A
Lightman
Stafford L
SL
D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D010121:Oxytocin; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase