title: Role of the non-canonical notch ligand delta-like protein 1 in hormone-producing cells of the adult male mouse pituitary.
abstract: To better understand the role of the non-canonical Notch ligand delta-like protein 1 (DLK1), in hormone-producing cells, we studied the cell distribution and subcellular localisation of DLK1 in the pituitary of male adult 129/SvJ mice, and analysed the variations in the hormone-producing cells associated with the lack of this gene in Dlk1 knockout mice. The results obtained showed the presence of DLK1-immunoreactive (ir) cells in all hormone-producing cells of the anterior pituitary. Immunoelectron microscopy showed DLK1-ir in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and inside secretory vesicles, suggesting that DLK1 is released together with pituitary hormones. Moreover, we found that prolactin (PRL)-DLK1-ir cells are in intimate contact with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-ir-DLK1-negative cells. In Dlk1 knockout mice, we detected a significantly lower number of gowth hormone (GH)-ir cells, a reduction in the FSH and PRL immunostaining intensity, and a significant decrease in FSH mRNA expression compared to wild-type mice. An increase in pituitary GH mRNA expression and serum leptin levels was also found. These findings provide evidence supporting several regulatory functions of DLK1 in the pituitary gland.
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology Section, School of Biology, University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Puertas-Avendaño
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: González-Gómez
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ruvira
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Hidalgo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morales-Delgado
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laborda
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C511877:Dll3 protein, mouse; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020738:Leptin; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone