Expression of PACAP receptor mRNAs by neuropeptide Y neurons in the rat arcuate nucleus.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exert opposite actions in energy homeostasis: NPY is a potent orexigenic peptide whereas PACAP reduces food intake. PAC1-R and VPAC2-R mRNAs are actively expressed in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus which contains a prominent population of NPY neurons. By using a double-labeling in situ hybridization technique, we now show that a significant proportion of NPY neurons express PAC1-R or VPAC2-R mRNA. This observation indicates that PACAP may regulate the activity of NPY neurons, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of PACAP on food intake may be mediated, at least in part, through modulation of NPY neurotransmission.
Mounien
Lourdes
L
INSERM U413, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroendocrinology, European Institute for Peptide Research (IFRMP 23), University of Rouen, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France.
Bizet
Patrice
P
Boutelet
Isabelle
I
Gourcerol
Guillaume
G
Basille
Magali
M
Gonzalez
Bruno
B
Vaudry
Hubert
H
Jegou
Sylvie
S
D000818:Animals; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D051236:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000235:genetics*
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051236:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide