Expression of PTHrP and the PTH/PTHrP receptor in growing red deer antler.
Antler growth is highly co-ordinated, so that trabecular bone and antler skin (velvet) develop together, at a rapid rate and in a manner reminiscent of their development in the fetus. Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) is expressed in both bone and skin, and is therefore a candidate to effect co-ordination between these tissues. The aim of this study was to localize the expression of PTHrP and its principal receptor, the parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide receptor (PTH/PTHrPR), in antler ("spiker") of one-year-old red deer. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, intense and overlapping expression of PTHrP and its receptor was seen in developing osseocartilaginous structures and in the underlying layers of velvet epidermis. PTHrP was located on both the cell surface and within the nuclei. Our results strongly suggest that PTHrP, acting via the PTH/PTHrPR and possibly other intracrine mechanisms, plays a central role in the co-ordinated regulation of cell division and differentiation of developing antler bone and skin.
Barling
Peter Michael
PM
Proteomics and Biomedicine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand. p.barling@auckland.ac.nz
Liu
Hong
H
Matich
Jessica
J
Mount
Julia
J
Ka Wai Lai
Angela
A
Ma
Li
L
Basford Nicholson
Louise Frances
LF
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000999:Antlers / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003670:Deer / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D044168:Receptor, Parathyroid Hormone, Type 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D044168:Receptor, Parathyroid Hormone, Type 1