title: Syrian hamster proopiomelanocortin cDNA cloning and early seasonal changes in testicular expression.
abstract: Beta-endorphin (beta-End) and its precursor, proopiomelanocortin (POMC), are expressed in testis and beta-End stimulates testosterone secretion locally. We measured POMC expression in Syrian hamster testis following transfer from long days (LDs) to short days (SDs). We used RT-PCR to amplify partial-length hamster POMC cDNA to generate a probe for Northern analysis. We also used rat beta-End antiserum for radioimmunoassay analysis. SD exposure for 2 weeks decreased POMC mRNA and beta-End, but not testis weight or testosterone. We conclude that POMC signaling may play a role in seasonal regulation of testicular function.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. cam2025@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Caurnel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Stanley J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Huda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D021081:Chronobiology Disorders; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods*; D006224:Cricetinae; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009929:Organ Size; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012621:Seasons; D013737:Testis / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D013739:Testosterone; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin