Expression of the melanocortin receptors MC2-R (ACTH-receptor) and MC5-R during embryonic development of ovine adrenals.
Two melanocortin receptors MC2-R (ACTH-receptor) and MC5-R are expressed in the adult lamb adrenal cortex. In this work, we have studied the time-course of expression of these two receptors during ovine fetal development. MC2-R expression progressively increases from day 60 to day 140 of gestation (x3), then more rapidly before parturition and remains constant in the newborn. In contrast, the pattern of MC5-R expression is totally different. A strong increase is observed between days 60 and 120 (x7) then followed by a decrease until parturition and after birth. This peak of MC5-R expression precedes that of MC2-R, suggesting that MC5-R might be involved in alpha-MSH- and/or ACTH-stimulated corticosteroid synthesis during early embryonic life.
Maia
M
M
Institute of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Porto, Portugal.
Vivier
J
J
Hue
D
D
Durand
P
P
Feige
J J
JJ
Defaye
G
G
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000196:embryology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D044103:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 2; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin; D012756:Sheep / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044103:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 2; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin; C086971:melanocortin 5 receptor