Food-intake-regulating-neuropeptides are expressed and regulated through pregnancy and following food restriction in rat placenta.
BACKGROUND
Neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti related peptide (AgRP), cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) and melanocortins, the products of the proopiomelanocortin (POMC), are hypothalamic peptides involved in feeding regulation and energy homeostasis. Recent evidence has demonstrated their expression in rat and human placenta.


METHODS
In the current study, we have investigated the expression of those neuropeptides in the rat placenta by real-time PCR using a model of maternal food restriction.


RESULTS
Our results showed that placental-derived neuropeptides were regulated through pregnancy and following food restriction.


CONCLUSIONS
These data could indicate that placental-derived neuropeptides represent a local regulatory circuit that may fine-tune control of energy balance during pregnancy.
Caminos
Jorge E
JE
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. jecaminp@gmail.com
Bravo
Susana B
SB
González
C Ruth
CR
Garcés
Maria F
MF
Cepeda
Libia A
LA
González
Adriana C
AC
Cordido
Fernando
F
López
Miguel
M
Diéguez
Carlos
C
D054369:Agouti-Related Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005508:Food Deprivation / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D053486:Melanocortins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats / Q000502:physiology*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein
C515197:AGRP protein, rat; D054369:Agouti-Related Protein; D053486:Melanocortins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin