title: Identification of a cDNA encoding a novel small secretory protein, neurosecretory protein GL, in the chicken hypothalamic infundibulum.
abstract: To find novel neuropeptide and/or peptide hormone precursors in the avian brain, we performed a cDNA subtractive screen of the chicken hypothalamic infundibulum, which contains one of the feeding and neuroendocrine centers. After sequencing 596 clones, we identified a novel cDNA encoding a previously unknown protein. The deduced precursor protein consisted of 182 amino acid residues, including one putative small secretory protein of 80 amino acid residues. This small protein was flanked at the N-terminus by a signal peptide and at the C-terminus by a glycine amidation signal and a dibasic amino acid cleavage site. Because the predicted C-terminal amino acids of the small protein were Gly-Leu-NH2, the small protein was named neurosecretory protein GL (NPGL). Quantitative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated specific expression of the NPGL precursor mRNA in the hypothalamic infundibulum. Furthermore, the mRNA levels in the hypothalamic infundibulum increased during post-hatching development. In situ hybridization analysis showed that the cells containing the NPGL precursor mRNA were localized in the medial mammillary nucleus and infundibular nucleus within the hypothalamic infundibulum of 8- and 15-day-old chicks. Subcutaneous infusion of NPGL in chicks increased body weight gain without affecting food intake. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the identification and localization of the NPGL precursor mRNA and the function of its translated product in animals. Our findings indicate that NPGL may participate in the growth process in chicks.
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan. Electronic address: ukena@hiroshima-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ukena
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
authors.forename: Eiko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Iwakoshi-Ukena
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
authors.forename: Shusuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taniuchi
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bessho
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
authors.forename: Sho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maejima
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenshiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shikano
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
authors.forename: Kunihiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
authors.forename: Megumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furumitsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Agrobiological Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tachibana
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D030161:Avian Proteins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D009479:Neuropeptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger
keywords: Body weight; Brain; Chicken; Growth; Hypothalamus; Neurosecretory protein