Combinatorial expression of phenotypes of different cell lineages in the rat and mouse pituitary.
As studied by single cell RT-PCR of pituitary hormones, we demonstrated that the pituitaries of rats and mice contain a subpopulation of cells that express two or more hormone phenotypes typically belonging to lineages that are branched separately early during embryonic development, such as glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit (alphaGSU) mRNA + PRL mRNA, alphaGSU mRNA + POMC mRNA, and POMC mRNA + GH or PRL mRNA. GnRH in vitro selectively expands the population of cells coexpressing alphaGSU mRNA + PRL mRNA, and CRH selectively increases the proportion of cells coexpressing alphaGSU mRNA + POMC mRNA. Colocalization of alphaGSU + PRL or alphaGSU + POMC could not be detected by double immunofluorescence. This lineage promiscuity was also observed in the pituitary in vivo.
Denef
C
C
Laboratory of Cell Pharmacology, University of Leuven, School of Medicine, Belgium. carl.denef@med.kuleuven.ac.be
Pals
K
K
Hauspie
A
A
Vankelecom
H
H
Seuntjens
E
E
D000818:Animals; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D020650:Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques / Q000379:methods; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats
D010907:Pituitary Hormones