title: Photoinducible phase-specific light induction of Cry1 gene in the pars tuberalis of Japanese quail.
abstract: Prolactin (PRL) secretion is regulated by photoperiod in mammals and birds. In mammals, the pars tuberalis (PT) in the pituitary is involved in the regulation of photoperiodic regulation of PRL secretion. In birds, however, hypothalamic vasoactive intestinal peptide is implicated in PRL secretion, and physiological roles of the avian PT remain unknown. In the present study, we show that PRL secretion increases under long days and short days with a night interruptive schedule, both of which also cause gonadal growth in Japanese quail. We have also found Cry1 gene expression in the PT of Japanese quail. Cry1 expression was rhythmic under long and short photoperiods in the PT, and the peak was phase delayed under a lengthened photoperiod. Moreover, expression of Cry1 gene was induced by a light pulse but only when given during the photoinducible phase. In our previous study, we have shown rhythmic Per2 gene expression with a peak in the PT during the early day under various photoperiods. When taken together with the results from the present study, different phase relationships between Per2 and Cry1 in the Japanese quail PT under different photoperiods may decode photoperiodic information and regulate photoperiodic PRL secretion in a manner similar to that of mammals.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomodeling, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinobu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yasuo
authors.forename: Miwa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsukada
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takagi
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iigo
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Shizufumi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ebihara
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003370:Coturnix; D056931:Cryptochromes; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005420:Flavoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D017440:Photoperiod; D017956:Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D056931:Cryptochromes; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005420:Flavoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C119828:cry protein, Drosophila; D011388:Prolactin