Expression of mRNAs for PACAP and its receptor in human neuroblastomas and their relationship to catecholamine synthesis.
OBJECTIVE
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a member of the secretin/glucagon/vasoactive intestinal peptide family, induces the expression of catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes in adrenal medullary cells. In addition, PACAP and its receptor have been detected in human neuroblastoma tissues and cell lines, though it is not yet known whether PACAP enhances the expression of genes encoding catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes. To address this question, we analyzed PACAP, PACAP receptor and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNAs in neuroblastomas.


METHODS
The levels of mRNA for PACAP and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), as well as their receptors and the mRNA for TH were measured by RT-PCR or real-time PCR analysis.


RESULTS
VPAC1R mRNA was detected in all of 16 tissues and 3 cell lines that were examined, while VPAC2R mRNA was detected in 5 of 16 (31%) tissue and 2 of 3 cell lines. PAC1R mRNA was detected in 6 out of 16 (38%) tissues and none of 3 cell lines. mRNA expression of PACAP and TH were detected in many tissues (10/16 and 16/16, respectively). However, neither in tissues nor cell lines did PACAP mRNA expression correlate with TH mRNA expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that PACAP is not involved in the regulation of expression of TH in neuroblastomas.
Isobe
Kazumasa
K
Department of Clinical Pathology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan. k-isobe@md.tsukuba.ac.jp
Kaneko
Michio
M
Kaneko
Setsuko
S
Nissato
Sumiko
S
Nanmoku
Toru
T
Takekoshi
Kazuhiro
K
Okuda
Yukichi
Y
Kawakami
Yasushi
Y
D001483:Base Sequence; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000235:genetics*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D051236:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I; D018005:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000235:genetics; D051238:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, Type I; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism
C495401:ADCYAP1 protein, human; C495503:ADCYAP1R1 protein, human; D002395:Catecholamines; D017931:DNA Primers; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051236:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I; D018005:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D051238:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, Type I; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase