Comparative distribution of the mRNAs encoding urotensin I and urotensin II in zebrafish.
The neural neurosecretory system of fishes produces two biologically active neuropeptides, i.e. the corticotropin-releasing hormone paralog urotensin I (UI) and the somatostatin-related peptide urotensin II (UII). In zebrafish, we have recently characterized two UII variants termed UIIalpha and UIIbeta. In the present study, we have investigated the distribution of UI, UIIalpha and UIIbeta mRNAs in different organs by quantitative RT-PCR analysis and the cellular localization of the three mRNAs in the spinal cord by in situ hybridization (ISH) histochemistry. The data show that the UI gene is mainly expressed in the caudal portion of the spinal cord and, to a lesser extent, in the brain, while the UIIalpha and the UIIbeta genes are exclusively expressed throughout the spinal cord. Single-ISH labeling revealed that UI, UIIalpha and UIIbeta mRNAs occur in large cells, called Dahlgren cells, located in the ventral part of the caudal spinal cord. Double-ISH staining showed that UI, UIIalpha and UIIbeta mRNAs occur mainly in distinct cells, even though a few cells were found to co-express the UI and UII genes. The differential expression of UI, UIIalpha and UIIbeta genes may contribute to the adaptation of Dahlgren cell activity during development and/or in various physiological conditions.
Parmentier
Caroline
C
Laboratoire de Neurobiologie des Signaux Intercellulaires, UMR 7101, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75252 Paris, France. caroline.parmentier@snv.jussieu.fr
Hameury
Emilie
E
Lihrmann
Isabelle
I
Taxi
Jacques
J
Hardin-Pouzet
Hélène
H
Vaudry
Hubert
H
Calas
André
A
Tostivint
Hervé
H
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014579:Urotensins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014579:Urotensins; C029676:urotensin I; C029677:urotensin II