title: Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis: a review of the literature.
abstract: Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), an ancient molecule highly preserved across species, has been classified as a member of the secretin/glucagon/vasoactive intestinal peptide/growth hormone-releasing hormone polypeptide family. PACAP was first identified as a hypothalamic-releasing factor; nevertheless, it has subsequently been determined to have widespread distribution and function, including expression in the pituitary, gonads, placenta, central and peripheral nervous systems, intestinal tract, and adrenal gland. Consistent with its widespread distribution, PACAP has been found to exert pleiotropic effects. Although first described over 20 years ago, only relatively recently has substantial attention turned to evaluating PACAP's role in the reproductive system. This review will focus on our current understanding of the expression pattern and function of PACAP in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Natalie M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Constance M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Grafer
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Halvorson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006066:Gonads / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051236:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D051236:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide