title: Detection and estrogen regulation of leptin receptor expression in rat dorsal root ganglion.
abstract: Leptin receptor (OB-R) is a polypeptide consisting of a single transmembrane-spanning component. OB-R widely distributes in various tissues, including the peripheral nervous system (PNS). However, there is no data about the expression of OB-R in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). In the present study, we first detected the expressions of OB-R protein and mRNA in the rat DRG using the methods of immunohistochemistry, western blot and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Estrogen is known to influence different functions on the DRG. In this study, we observed that 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) can increase the expressions of OB-R protein and mRNA (P<0.05) in ovariectomized rat DRG and these actions can be prevented by tamoxifen which is a specific estrogen receptors (ERs) antagonist. In addition, the results of dual labeling of OB-R with the two ER isoforms, ERalpha and ERbeta indicate that 100% colocalization of ERalpha with OB-R and about 15% colocalization of ERbeta with OB-R in DRG neurons. These results indicate that OB-R is expressed in the rat DRG and E(2) may up-regulate the expression of the OB-R protein and mRNA in an ERalpha-dependent way.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100094, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hong Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jingjing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D054411:Receptors, Leptin
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D054411:Receptors, Leptin