Cloning and distribution of neuropeptide W and its receptors in pigs.
Neuropeptide W (NPW), a novel hypothalamic peptide, is an endogenous ligand for the orphan G protein-coupled receptors GPR7 (NPBWR1) and GPR8 (NPBWR2). Although several studies have implicated NPW in the regulation of feeding and energy metabolism in many species, the precise physiological function of NPW in pigs remains unclear. In this study, we cloned and sequenced NPW, GPR7, and GPR8 cDNA from pigs. NPW, GPR7, and GPR8 mRNA expression was quantified in the pig brain and peripheral tissues by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry showed that NPW protein expression was limited in the brain and abundant in peripheral tissues. These results suggest that NPW is involved in the regulation of various physiological functions in pigs. The molecular and morphological data from this study provide a basis for further research on the functions of NPW in pigs.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Rui
R
Fang
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Juan
J
Su
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Lucheng
L
Zheng
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Mengmeng
M
Jin
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Yuanlong
Y
Hou
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Zhiyu
Z
Ma
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Tingting
T
Guo
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Shenzheng
S
Zhu
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Xueli
X
Ma
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Ejlal
E
Ahmed
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: leizh@njau.edu.cn.
Zhihai
Z
Lei
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000662:veterinary; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine
D009479:Neuropeptides; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
Clone; Distribution; GPR7; GPR8; Immunohistochemistry; NPW