bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of a functional thyroglobulin fragment in a baculovirus system
Authors: den Hartog M T , Sijmons C C , Kristel P M P , Bakker O , de Vijlder J J M
Published: December 2008

The synthesis is described of an N-terminal thyroglobulin (Tg) polypeptide of 27 kDa, which is capable of hormonogenesis, in a baculovirus system. This polypeptide was made using a 657 bp Tg cDNA cloned from human thyroid RNA by a polymerase chain reaction method. The cDNA contained the information for the Tg signal peptide, the N-terminally located site for thyroid hormone formation and, at the 3′ end, a sequence coding for six histidine residues. The fragments produced were purified using a nickel—nitrilotriacetic acid column using these six histidine residues. The products were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and showed two glycosylated fragments of 32 and 34 kDa, both of which started with asparagine. Iodination of the fragments with lactoperoxidase in vitro resulted in the formation of thyroxine (T4). The formation rate of T4 in the fragments was about five times lower than that of the mature Tg dimer of 660 kDa, but ten times more rapid than in bovine serum albumin under the same conditions.
Isolation- and dehydration-induced changes in neuropeptide gene expression in the sheep hypothalamus
Authors: Matthews S G , Parrott R F , Sirinathsinghji D J S
Published: December 2008

Changes in neuropeptide gene expression in the hypothalami of sheep subjected to psychological stress (isolation, 1 h; n=3) or dehydration (48 h; n=3) were examined using in-situ hybridization histochemistry. Compared with non-stressed euhydrated control animals (n=3), isolation induced significant accumulation of mRNA for corticotrophin-releasing hormone, pro-enkephalin and pro-dynorphin (DYN) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), but no change in mRNA content within the supraoptic nucleus (SON). By contrast, dehydration significantly increased DYN mRNA in the magnocellular neurones of the PVN and SON. However, neither isolation nor dehydration altered the expression of mRNA for vasopressin (AVP) in either the PVN or the SON. These results indicate that in the ovine hypothalamus (1) stress represents a powerful stimulus to co-ordinated neuropeptide synthesis and (2) expression of DYN mRNA and AVP mRNA may be independently regulated during changes in plasma osmolality.
The porcine insulin-like growth factor-I gene: characterization and expression of alternate transcription sites
Authors: Weller P A , Dickson M C , Huskisson N S , Dauncey M J , Buttery P J , Gilmour R S
Published: December 2008

Genomic DNA encoding the 5′ region of the porcine IGF-I gene was cloned and sequenced and shown to be highly homologous to that of man, rats and sheep. Two leader exons (exons 1 and 2), which are alternately spliced to exon 3 (encoding part of the mature IGF-I molecule), were identified by RNase protection analysis. In both cases, transcription initiates upstream from exons 1 and 2 at multiple dispersed start sites to yield two distinct IGF-I mRNA transcript classes (1 and 2) which differ in the precursor peptides predicted from their individual leader sequences.

The expression of class 1 and 2 transcripts was measured in liver and muscle RNA from two groups of 2-month-old pigs whose energy status had been manipulated within physiological limits to produce marked differences in plasma IGF-I levels and growth rates. For this purpose, RNase protection probes were developed that contained the individual leader exons 1 and 2 linked separately to the common exon 3, so that class-specific and total IGF-I gene expression could be determined in a single assay. At normal plasma IGF-I concentrations (200 ng/ml), class 1 and 2 transcripts comprised 81 and 19% respectively of total liver IGF-I mRNA, while at a lower plasma concentration (90 ng/ml) the corresponding values were 95 and 5% respectively. Although both classes of transcript declined with the decrease in plasma IGF-I, the relative drop in levels of class 2 transcripts (84%) was substantially greater than that of class 1 (54%). In longissimus dorsi, cardiac and soleus muscles IGF-I mRNA was predominantly of class 1 and did not change in response to decreased plasma IGF-I. This suggests that liver-derived endocrine IGF-I has an important function in the regulation of muscle growth and that class 2 IGF-I transcripts are more sensitive to conditions that promote optimal growth.
A trans-acting locus regulates transcriptional repression of the female-specific steroid 15α-hydroxylase gene in male mice
Authors: Aida K , Negishi M
Published: December 2008

Steroid 15α-hydroxylase (P45015α) is a female-specific enzyme in the livers of many inbred mice including DBA/2J. Run-on assays using liver nuclei from GH-deficient Little mice indicated that the P45015α gene is transcriptionally repressed by GH in male mice. BALB/cJ is a variant strain in which the gene is expressed in the males as well as in the females. Genetic crosses between DBA/2J and BALB/cJ indicated that expression of the P45015α gene in BALB/cJ males is inherited as a recessive trait and is regulated by a single locus. The parental origin of the P45015α genes, determined using restriction site polymorphism in the exons of the P45015α genes, divided the F2 males expressing the P45015α gene into three phenotypes at a ratio of 1:1:2, the individuals expressing the gene from only BALB/cJ or DBA/2J and the individuals expressing the genes from both parents respectively. The results indicate that the repression of the P45015α gene in male mice is regulated by a trans-acting regulatory locus between the DBA/2J and BALB/cJ pairs. Because hypophysectomy derepressed the P45015α gene in Fl males and GH repressed the gene in hypophysectomized Fl males, the hormone appears to regulate gene repression through a trans-acting locus, named GH-dependent repression, GDR.
A monoclonal antibody to a conserved sequence in the extracellular domain recognizes the angiotensin II AT1 receptor in mammalian target tissues
Authors: Barker S , Marchant W , Ho M M , Puddefoot J R , Hinson J P , Clark A J L , Vinson G P
Published: December 2008

We have generated hybridomas which secrete monoclonal antibodies to the AT1 subtype of the angiotensin II receptor (AT1 receptor). These were obtained after immunization of Balb C/c mice with synthetic peptides representing sequences from either the extracellular domain (residues 8-17) or the intracellular domain (residues 229-237) of the AT1 receptor.

Hybridoma populations were first screened for the production of antibodies which bound to rat liver cells. Further selection, and cloning by limiting dilution, was carried out for antibodies which bound specifically to rat adrenal glomerulosa cells. Confirmation that the antibody designated 6313/G2 interacted with the angiotensin II receptor was obtained using COS-7 cells transfected with AT1A receptor cDNA. In particular, the initial characterization of 6313/G2 showed specific immunofluorescence of vascular endothelium.
The hepatic receptor for sex steroid-binding protein: study on a non-malignant cell line (Chang liver)
Authors: Fortunati N , Becchis M , Fissore F , Berta L , Catalano M G , Orsello M , Gaidano G , Frairia R
Published: December 2008

The binding of human sex steroid-binding protein (SBP), labelled with 125I, was studied on whole cultured liver cells (Chang liver cells). SBP was shown to bind to a receptor site on normal hepatocytes. The binding was time- and temperature-dependent, highly specific and of high affinity. The liver receptor recognizing SBP was demonstrated to be different from the asialoglyco-protein receptor; in addition, laminin, which is structurally related to SBP, could not bind to the receptor. SBP was shown to recognize two binding sites with different affinities; the low affinity site was shown to possess a remarkably high capacity. This characteristic, which until now has been described only for hepatocytes, could be related to the unique role of the liver with regard to both SBP and sex steroids.
Differential expression of non-allelic insulin genes in rodent islet tumour cells
Authors: Lund K , Blume N , Michelsen B K , Bucchini D , Madsen O D
Published: December 2008

We have compared the expression patterns of the non-allelic insulin 1 and 2 genes during prolonged in-vitro culture of the mouse islet cell line β-TC3, where transformation by the SV40 T oncoprotein is targeted to the differentiated β-cell phenotype, and the rat islet cell line NHI-6F, in which the β-cell phenotype is induced by transient in-vivo passage. The NHI-6F clone carries, in addition, a single copy of a transfected silent human insulin gene which contains 3 kb of regulatory sequences known to confer β-cell-specific expression. Insulin gene expression was measured by an assay based on a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, to determine whether the ancestral rodent insulin 2 genes (and the human homologue in the NHI-6F cells) are regulated differently from the duplicated rat and mouse insulin 1 genes.

We have shown that activation of insulin gene expression in the NHI-6F cells includes transcriptional activation of all three genes, but that extended propagation of tumour cells in vitro leads to a selective and equal decline in the quantities of transcripts from the rat 2 and human genes relative to transcripts from the rat 1 gene. In the later passages, insulin transcripts were derived almost exclusively from the rat 1 gene. In early in-vitro passages of the mouse endocrine cell line β-TC3, the expression pattern of the mouse 1 and 2 insulin genes resembled that seen in isolated mouse islets. After more than 45 in-vitro passages, expression of the duplicated mouse 1 gene decreased tenfold when compared with the ancestral mouse 2 gene. As previously shown for NHI-6F cells, the differential expression of non-allelic insulin genes in the β-TC3 line was also clearly evident at the cellular level, where a subpopulation of cells selectively expressed readily detectable levels of mouse C-peptide 2 immunoreactivity while devoid of C-peptide 1. Our results suggest that the maintenance of insulin gene expression in rodent tumour cells is influenced by enhancer sequences which are not shared by the ancestral and duplicated insulin genes, and that either species-specific conditions or transformation-related differences exist between the rat and mouse cell lines that govern which gene remains active during prolonged in-vitro propagation.
Direct effect of adenosine on prolactin secretion at the level of the single rat lactotroph: involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive and -insensitive transducing mechanisms
Authors: Scorziello A , Landolfi E , Grimaldi M , Meucci O , Ventra C , Avallone A , Postiglione A , Schettini G
Published: December 2008

We studied the effect of adenosine on prolactin secretion by the anterior pituitary, and the transduction mechanisms whereby the purine exerts its action. Adenosine inhibited prolactin release in basal and in vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)- or TRH-stimulated conditions. Pertussis toxin pretreatment reduced the inhibition of VIP-stimulated prolactin secretion which was induced by adenosine, while it completely abolished the effect of the purine on TRH-evoked prolactin release. In membrane preparations of anterior pituitary cells, adenosine reduced the adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by VIP. Such an inhibition was not blocked by pertussis toxin pretreatment.

Furthermore, the purine reduced TRH-stimulated inositol phosphate production in cultured anterior pituitary cells, an effect that was reversed by pretreatment with pertussis toxin. In addition, the nucleoside did not significantly affect the TRH-induced rise in intracellular calcium.

In conclusion, our data show that adenosine inhibits prolactin secretion, acting on purinergic receptors coupled to the adenylate cyclase enzyme and phospholipase C. The effect of the nucleoside on adenylate cyclase seems to be achieved either by the involvement of an adenosine receptor coupled to the catalytic subunit of the enzyme via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, or by the activation of a site directly coupled to the catalytic subunit of the adenylate cyclase (the P site). Its effect on phospholipase C seems to be mediated by a purinergic receptor coupled to the intracellular effector via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein.
Insulin delivery by somatic cell gene therapy
Authors: Stewart C , Taylor N A , Docherty K , Bailey C J
Published: December 2008

The feasibility of somatic cell gene therapy as a method of insulin delivery has been studied in mice. Murine pituitary AtT20 cells were transfected with a human preproinsulin DNA in a plasmid containing a metallothionein promoter and a gene conferring resistance to the antibiotic G418. The AtT20MtIns-1·4 clone of cells was selected because of its higher insulin-releasing activity compared with other clones. After culturing for 24 h in Dulbecco's medium containing 10 mM glucose, the AtT20MtIns-1·4 cells released human insulin at about 5 ng/106 cells per 24 h. Insulin release was not significantly altered by raised concentrations of glucose, potassium or calcium, but insulin release was increased by 20 mm arginine, 5 mm isomethylbutylxanthine and 90 μm zinc.

AtT20MtIns-1·4 cells (2 × 106) were implanted intraperitoneally into non-diabetic athymic nude (nu/nu) mice, and the mice were made diabetic by injection of streptozotocin after 7 days. Release of human insulin in vivo was assessed using a specific plasma human C-peptide assay. Human C-peptide concentrations were maintained at about 01 pmol/ml throughout the 29 days of the study. The development of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia was delayed in recipients of the cells releasing human insulin, compared with a control group receiving an implant of non-transfected cells. At autopsy the implanted AtT20MtIns-1·4 cells in each recipient had formed a tumour-like aggregation, with an outer region of insulin-containing cells. The study suggests that somatic cell gene therapy offers a feasible approach to insulin delivery.
Cloning of a toad prolactin cDNA: expression of prolactin mRNA in larval and adult pituitaries
Authors: Takahashi N , Yamamoto K , Kikuyama S
Published: December 2008

A toad (Bufo japonicus) prolactin cDNA was specifically amplified from cDNAs constructed from the total RNA of adenohypophyses, employing the DNA polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing analysis revealed that the cDNA clone thus obtained was 602 bp in length, and encoded the C-terminal 134 amino acid residues of the toad prolactin molecule. The length of the toad prolactin mRNA was estimated to be about 1·0 kb by Northern blot analysis. The partial amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence showed the following homologies between toad prolactin and the prolactins of other vertebrates: 69% with man, 80% with chicken, 81% with sea turtle, 91% with bullfrog and 38% with salmon. Using the cDNA as a probe, developmental and seasonal changes in prolactin mRNA levels in the pituitaries of toads were studied. Prolactin mRNA in the pituitary rose as metamorphosis progressed and declined at the end of metamorphosis. During the breeding season the pituitary content of prolactin mRNA was relatively high. This finding suggests that the increases in plasma and pituitary prolactin levels in larvae at metamorphic climax and in adults that remain in or migrate into water, as reported previously, accompany the increase in prolactin synthesis.
Preparation and characterization of a recombinant DNA-derived ovine growth hormone variant internally labelled with sulphur-35
Authors: Wallis M , Gwilliam D J , Wallis O C
Published: December 2008

125I-Labelled polypeptide hormones have been extremely valuable for radioimmunoassays, receptor-binding studies and investigation of the processing and metabolism of hormones. However, such externally labelled material has the disadvantage that addition of one or more iodine atoms may alter the properties of the polypeptide. Furthermore, for studies on hormone metabolism and processing, the label may become separated from the hormone or its main breakdown products. Use of internally labelled polypeptides produced by biosynthesis can avoid such problems, but previously such material has usually been of low specific radioactivity, and unsuitable for many purposes. Here we describe the development of a procedure for the production of an internally labelled ovine GH analogue (oGH1) using a plasmid produced by recombinant DNA methods and expression in Escherichia coli.

Bacteria were grown in medium containing a low sulphate concentration, and then incubated in medium containing 35SO42− as the sole sulphur source. Under these conditions, the bacteria incorporated 35S into proteins including GH. Purification of such material required considerable modification of previously described methods, because of the need to handle very small amounts of highly radioactive material. The bacteria were lysed using lysozyme, and inclusion bodies were solubilized using 6 m guanidinium chloride. [35S]oGH1 was renatured and then purified by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-100, followed by immunoaffinity chromatography and a second gel filtration step. Material prepared in this way had a specific radioactivity of 6–27 μCi/μg, and showed high 'bind-ability' to polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies and to receptors. 35S-Labelled material bound to receptors more effectively than 125I-labelled GH and showed improved stability. Such material appears to be well suited to receptor-binding studies and studies on the processing and metabolism of GH. The procedure developed should be applicable to other polypeptide hormones.
Type-I insulin-like growth factor receptor gene expression in the chick. Developmental changes and the effect of selection for increased growth on the amount of receptor mRNA
Authors: Armstrong D G , Hogg C O
Published: December 2008

An RNase protection assay is described that allowed the quantitative analysis of chicken type-I IGF receptor mRNA transcripts. The transcripts were measured in extracts of total nucleic acid (TNA) and, under the hybridization conditions described, protected probes of the expected size were obtained. The RNA-RNA hybrids could be quantified in the presence of at least a 1000-fold molar excess of DNA containing sequences which were complimentary to the RNA probe. The amount of protected probe was linearly related to the amount of TNA in the hybridization reaction medium, and this allowed the results to be expressed in the form of mRNA molecules/cell.

Type-I IGF receptor mRNA transcripts were detected in all the tissues examined from a 20day-old chick embryo. Their amount ranged from 5 to 24 molecules/cell, in the order liver<breast muscle<leg muscle<heart<brain. The amount of receptor mRNA was 65- to 300-fold less than that of β-actin mRNA.

The quantity of type-I IGF receptor mRNA varied significantly throughout embryonic and post-hatch development. Maximum amounts were measured in 21-day-old embryos (a two- to fourfold increase relative to 16-day-old embryos). Thereafter the amount of receptor mRNA decreased, during the 4-week period after hatching, to levels which were significantly lower than that observed in 16-day-old embryos. Throughout the period of embryonic and post-hatch development described here the amount of β-actin mRNA remained constant, indicating that the changes in the quantity of receptor mRNA were due to specific mechanisms acting directly on the steady-state levels of type-I IGF receptor mRNA.

Selection for increased growth had no effect on the amount of type-I IGF receptor mRNA. The result was the same when expressed either as molecules/cell or as a percentage of β-actin mRNA.
Differential expression and hormonal regulation of alternatively spliced IGF-I mRNA transcripts in salmon
Authors: Duguay S J , Swanson P , Dickhoff W W
Published: December 2008

Salmon have been shown to express alternatively spliced IGF-I mRNA transcripts coding for four different IGF-I prohormones. These transcripts, now designated Ea-1, Ea-2, Ea-3 and Ea-4, differ in size due to the inclusion of additional sequences in the E domain-coding region of the molecule. In this study, the tissue distribution and hormonal regulation of expression of alternatively spliced IGF-I mRNA transcripts were investigated in coho salmon. IGF-I mRNAs were detected by solution hybridization/RNase protection assay in all tissues examined. GH treatment significantly increased hepatic IGF-I mRNA content. Hepatic IGF-I mRNA levels were not influenced by prolactin or somatolactin. Heart, fat, brain, kidney, spleen and ovary IGF-I mRNA levels were not affected by GH, prolactin or somatolactin. Ea-1, Ea-3 and Ea-4 mRNA transcripts were detectable in the liver, and Ea-1 and Ea-3 levels increased dramatically in response to GH treatment, whereas the amount of Ea-4 mRNA was unchanged. Most non-hepatic tissues expressed only the Ea-4 transcript, and expression was not influenced by GH, prolactin or somatolactin. Ea-1 and Ea-3 transcripts were visible in gill samples from fish treated with GH. The ovaries of juvenile fish expressed Ea-1, Ea-2 and Ea-4. The amounts of these transcripts were not changed by gonadotrophin treatment. During smoltification of juvenile coho salmon, liver and gill IGF-I mRNA levels increased with increasing plasma GH and thyroxine concentrations. Muscle, brain and ovary IGF-I mRNA levels were unchanged during this period.

These data suggest that the liver is a major site of IGF-I production in response to GH. Heart, fat, brain, kidney, spleen and ovary did not show increased IGF-I mRNA levels in response to GH treatment. GH and prolactin had inconsistent effects on muscle IGF-I mRNA levels. Somatolactin and a gonadotrophin preparation did not stimulate IGF-I expression in tissues of juvenile fish. Differences in tissue GH responsiveness can be partially explained by the expression of alternatively spliced IGF-I mRNAs. Of the four hepatic IGF-I mRNA transcripts, Ea-1 and Ea-3 are GH-responsive, while Ea-2 and Ea-4 are not. Most non-hepatic tissues express only the Ea-4 transcript, and IGF-I mRNA levels do not increase after GH treatment. The increased IGF-I mRNA levels observed in gill tissue during smoltification suggest that other factors, in addition to GH, may regulate IGF-I expression. These data are also consistent with the hypothesis that IGF-I may mediate the osmoregulatory functions of GH during sea water adaptation.
Growth hormone (GH) regulation of a rat serine protease inhibitor fusion gene in cells transfected with GH receptor cDNA
Authors: Enberg B , Hulthén A , Möller C , Norstedt G , Francis S M
Published: December 2008

The mechanism by which GH transmits a signal to the nucleus via its membrane-bound receptor is unknown. To study this process, Buffalo rat liver (BRL), rat hepatoma (FAO), human hepatoma (HepG2) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines were transfected with GH receptor cDNA, and stable clones expressing GH receptor mRNA and protein were selected. From previous in vivo studies it is known that GH regulates the expression of the rat hepatic serine protease inhibitor (SPI) 2.1 gene at the transcriptional level. However, in all the cell lines tested, SPI gene expression was less than 0·2% of that measured in rat liver, and GH did not affect the expression of the endogenous SPI gene in GH receptor-expressing cells.

A 45 bp GH-responsive element (GHRE) has previously been defined in the SPI 2.1 gene. A construct containing six repeats of this GHRE was assembled with the thymidine kinase promoter and a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene. Transient transfection of this reporter gene resulted in GH stimulation of CAT activity in all GH receptor-transfected cell lines. A 33-fold induction was measured in the GH receptor-expressing BRL cells. Induction of CAT activity was observed after 8 h of GH treatment in the BRL-GHR638 cell line. Stable BRL cell lines expressing GH receptors with carboxy-terminal truncations (GHR380 and GHR454) did not show increased CAT activity on GH stimulation. This suggests that more than half of the intracellular domain of the GH receptor is required to activate transcription of the SPI 2.1 gene.

It is concluded that the use of GH receptor-expressing cell lines in combination with the GH-regulated reporter system described here provides a good model for studying intracellular signalling after GH stimulation.
Expression and characterization of biologically active ovine FSH from mammalian cell lines
Authors: Mountford P S , Brandon M R , Adams T E
Published: December 2008

Stably transfected cell lines expressing the α subunit, β subunit and α/β heterodimer of ovine (o)FSH have been established following the transfection of Chinese hamster ovary cells with α and β subunit cDNA expression vectors. In the absence of the α subunit, FSH β subunit polypeptides were inefficiently secreted and displayed a short intracellular half-life, while free α subunits were readily secreted in the absence of the β subunit. Cotransfection of oFSH α and β subunit cDNAs led to heterodimer assembly and secretion. While alteration of the nucleotide sequence flanking the β subunit AUG initiation codon did not appreciably enhance heterodimer biosynthesis and secretion, the replacement of the 5′ untranslated and signal peptide-coding regions of the β subunit cDNA with the corresponding sequences from an oGH cDNA clone was associated with a twofold increase in oFSH heterodimer secretion. The recombinant oFSH had a higher molecular weight than pituitary-derived oFSH, and was more acidic than the native hormone when analysed using isoelectric focusing, suggesting a greater degree of sialylation of the recombinant hormone. A comparison of the activities of the recombinant and native hormones in the porcine testis radioreceptor assay and in the in vitro Sertoli cell bioassay revealed that the recombinant oFSH displayed enhanced biological activity in the Sertoli cell assay when compared with the native hormone.
Localization of oxytocin receptor mRNA in the ovine uterus during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy
Authors: Stevenson K R , Riley P R , Stewart H J , Flint A P F , Wathes D C
Published: December 2008

A synthetic 45-mer oligonucleotide corresponding to part of the ovine endometrial oxytocin receptor cDNA was hybridized to sections of ovine uterus collected from 40 ewes at different stages during the oestrous cycle, the first 3 weeks of pregnancy and seasonal anoestrus. The quantity of oxytocin receptor mRNA was measured as the optical density (OD) value on autoradiographs using image analysis. Message first appeared in the luminal epithelium on days 14–15 of the cycle, increasing to a peak OD of 0·48 at oestrus and decreasing again between days 2 and 5. Oxytocin receptor mRNA in the superficial glands, deep glands and caruncular stroma increased between day 15 and oestrus to peak OD values of 0·17, 0·11 and 0·11 respectively, declining again by day 2 and reaching basal values (OD<0·015) by day 5. Hybridization to the myometrium tended to rise from a mean OD value of 0·01 on days 2–15 to a peak of 0·03±0·01 (mean±s.e.m.) on days 0–1, but the change was not significant. In pregnant ewes there was no detectable oxytocin receptor mRNA on days 14–15 in any region, but hybridization to the luminal epithelium was present in two of three ewes on day 21. In anoestrous ewes oxytocin receptor mRNA concentrations in all areas of the endometrium were approximately half those measured at oestrus.

Optical density readings for oxytocin receptor mRNA in the various uterine compartments were compared with measurements of oxytocin receptors in the same regions as assessed by binding studies using the 125I-labelled oxytocin antagonist d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Tyr-NH29]-vasotocin (125I-labelled OTA). In the endometrium, receptor mRNA and 125I-labelled OTA binding patterns changed in parallel, and both sets of measurements were significantly correlated (P<0·01). In the myometrium, a significant increase in 125I-labelled OTA binding occurred at oestrus; this was not accompanied by a similar increase in oxytocin receptor mRNA hybridization.

This study helps to confirm that the previously identified cDNA clone is derived from the ovine oxytocin receptor, as patterns of oxytocin receptor mRNA expression in the endometrium closely resembled those of oxytocin binding. Maximum expression and binding both occurred at oestrus, suggesting that regulation of the oxytocin receptor gene in the uterus occurs principally at the transcriptional, rather than at the translational, level. Failure to detect a significant increase in myometrial mRNA expression at oestrus may indicate that the endometrial and myometrial oxytocin receptors are of different isoforms.
Growth hormone gene structure in human pituitary somatotrophinomas: promoter region sequence and methylation studies
Authors: Hüttner A , Adams E F , Buchfelder M , Fahlbusch R
Published: December 2008

The structure of the GH gene in human somatotrophinomas was examined in terms of promoter region sequence and degree of methylation. In six tumours, the promoter sequence did not differ from that observed in the corresponding genomic (white blood cell-derived) DNA, suggesting that it is unlikely that excessive GH production is due to a point mutation within this region. In contrast, Southern blot analysis using the methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes HpaII and HhaI revealed lower levels of methylation of the GH gene in somatotrophinomas when compared with that found in DNA derived from normal pituitary glands. We conclude that hypomethylation of the GH gene in human somatotrophinomas may play at least a partial role in excessive GH production.
Roles of type I and type II isoenzymes of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in steroidogenesis in rat adrenal cells
Authors: Whitehouse B J , Abayasekara D R E
Published: December 2008

The role played by cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinases (PKAs) in rat adrenal steroidogenesis has been investigated using cAMP analogues which show partial selectivity for the type I and type II PKA isoenzymes. These were aminohexylamino-cAMP (AHA-cAMP; selective for site 1 on type I PKA), N6-benzoyl-cAMP (BZ-cAMP; selective for site 2 on PKA types I and II) and 8-thiomethyl-cAMP (TM-cAMP; selective for site 1 on type II PKA). Positive cooperativity exists between the two nucleotide-binding sites, thus the presence of type I PKA was inferred when synergistic increases in corticosteroid production were obtained with AHA-cAMP plus BZ-cAMP and that of type II PKA when synergistic increases were obtained with TM-cAMP plus BZ-cAMP.

The effects of AHA-cAMP, TM-cAMP and BZ-cAMP (10–100 μmol/l) on aldosterone production by glomerulosa cell preparations and corticosterone production by fasciculata/reticularis cell preparations were compared. Dose-related stimulation of steroid production was obtained with each cAMP analogue in both types of cell preparation. Experiments were performed using the cAMP analogues in combination at doses which gave minimal stimulation individually. Cells were incubated with AHA-cAMP (66 and 100 μmol/l) or TM-cAMP (15, 30 and 45 μmol/l) in the presence and absence of 15μmol BZ-cAMP/l. Synergistic responses were obtained with both analogue pairs in both cell types. The synergism ratio in fasciculata/reticularis cell preparations for the type I PKA selective pair of analogues (100 μmol AHA-cAMP/l plus 15μmol BZ-cAMP/l) was significantly higher (P<0·01) than that for the type II selective pair (45μmol TM-cAMP/l plus 15μmol BZ-cAMP/l; 7·9±1·2 (mean±s.e.m.) and 2·6±0·3 respectively). In zona glomerulosa preparations the ratio was higher (P<0·05) for the type II selective pair (1·6±0·1 for AHA-cAMP plus BZ-cAMP and 2·8±0·4 for TM-cAMP plus BZ-cAMP).

The effects of 100μmol AHA-cAMP/l and 45μmol TM-cAMP/l on the response to ACTH (1 pmol/l–10 nmol/l) were examined. Synergistic responses were obtained in fasciculata/reticularis cells with both analogues in combination with low concentrations of ACTH (10 and 100 pmol/l). In zona glomerulosa cells only the addition of TM-cAMP (45 μmol/l) in combination with 10 pmol ACTH/1 gave rise to synergistic increases in aldosterone production, which suggests that there may be some compartmentalization of the cAMP-dependent pathway in these cells.

The results indicate that both isoenzymes of PKA are present in rat adrenocortical cells and can play a part in the control of steroidogenesis. Type I PKA activity appears dominant in the control of zona fasciculata/reticularis cell function whereas modulation of type II PKA activity plays a more significant role in the responses of zona glomerulosa cells.
Cloning and expression of a new member of the melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor family
Authors: Barrett P , MacDonald A , Helliwell R , Davidson G , Morgan P
Published: December 2008

A new member of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily has been isolated from an ovine genomic library with a probe generated by the application of the PCR technique, using cDNA synthesized on a mRNA template isolated from the ovine pars tuberalis. This genomic clone encodes a novel receptor of 325 amino acids with seven transmembrane domains. These domains share homology with other members of this family, but the best homology is with the recently cloned human MC-1 (50% in the transmembrane domains) and MC-3 (69% in the transmembrane domains) MSH receptors and the human ACTH (42% in the transmembrane domains) receptor. When this receptor was expressed in Cos7 cells, it was able to bind a potent analogue of α-MSH, [Nle4, d-Phe7]-α-MSH (NDP-MSH), with high affinity. This binding could be displaced by pro-opiomelanocortinderived and related peptides, with the order of potency NDP-MSH>α-MSH=ACTH>β-MSH and with no effect of γ-MSH, δ-MSH or β-endorphin. The expressed receptor was demonstrated to be functionally coupled to the adenylate cyclase second messenger pathway, with α-MSH, β-MSH and ACTH stimulating cyclic AMP production. The amount of the mRNA for this receptor was found to be very low. The tissue distribution of this receptor could only be observed using the reverse transcription-PCR technique and the receptor was found to be present in a number of somatic tissues. These data indicate that this is a new and distinct member of the melanocortin receptor family.
Mutation in the human gene for 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II leading to male pseudohermaphroditism without salt loss
Authors: Russell A J , Wallace A M , Forest M G , Donaldson M D C , Edwards C R W , Sutcliffe R G
Published: December 2008

A 5-year-old XY pseudohermaphrodite was found to have a defect of steroid biosynthesis consistent with a partial deficiency of the enzyme 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD). Circulating concentrations of Δ5 steroids and Δ5 urinary steroid metabolites were elevated and remained elevated after orchidectomy. There was no evidence of salt loss, plasma renin being within normal limits, and no detectable glucocorticoid abnormality. The coding sequences of the genes for 3β-HSD types I and II were amplified by PCR and screened for mutations by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and manual and automatic DNA sequencing. A mutation in the gene for 3β-HSD type II was observed at codon 173 (CTA→CGA), leading in the affected patient to a homozygous substitution in which the leucine at residue 173 was altered to an arginine (L173R). The propositus's 2-year-old XX sister was also homozygous for L173R and showed the biochemical characteristics of partial 3β-HSD deficiency without clinical symptoms or signs. The mutation segregated as an autosomal recessive. Three related heterozygous adult females showed evidence of a small over-production of Δ5 steroids and steroid metabolites and a variable reduction in ovarian function. Concentrations of Δ5 steroids and steroid metabolites in the heterozygous father of the propositus were within the normal range.

These data are discussed in relation to the endocrine causes of pseudohermaphroditism and hirsutism. Evidence for tight linkage between the genes for 3β-HSD types I and II was obtained using a microsatellite polymorphism in the third intron of the gene for 3β-HSD type II and synonymous and non-synonymous mutations and polymorphisms in the gene for 3β-HSD type I. The latter polymorphisms were located 88 bp apart at the 3′ end of the type I coding sequence and could be physically resolved as haplotypes using DGGE. The application of DGGE to the analysis of mutations in members of a multigene family is discussed.
Are Vitellin and Vitellogenin Coded by One Gene in the Marine Shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus?
Authors: Khayat M , Lubzens E , Tietz A , Funkenstein B
Published: December 2008

A cDNA clone encoding a female-specific ovarian protein (presumably vitellin, Vt) has been isolated from a cDNA library prepared from poly (A)+ RNA extracted from vitellogenic ovaries of the shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus. The cDNA library was constructed and screened using a major cDNA band which was observed following analysis of total cDNA products by gel electrophoresis. This band, as well as the cDNA insert purified from the library, was estimated to have 1.1 kb. Both hybridized to mRNA prepared from ovaries or hepatopancreas (HEP) of vitellogenic females and showed a faint signal with ovaries from non-vitellogenic females, but did not hybridize to HEP from non-vitellogenic females or to HEP from males or testes. The size of the transcripts from the ovary and HEP was estimated to be 1.1 kb, similar to that of the cDNA insert, suggesting that a full length cDNA had been synthesized. Furthermore, the identical sizes of the transcripts from ovary and HEP and the ability of the ovarian cDNA to detect a transcript in HEP mRNA suggest that Vt from the ovary and vitellogenin (Vg) from HEP are the gene products of one gene. Alternatively, the homology between Vt and Vg is very high.
Localization of the human FSH receptor to chromosome 2 p21 using a genomic probe comprising exon 10
Authors: Gromoll J , Ried T , Holtgreve-Grez H , Nieschlag E , Gudermann T
Published: December 2008

Screening of a human genomic library with a cDNA probe corresponding to the transmembrane domain of the FSH receptor (FSHR) resulted in the identification of a positive clone with a DNA insert of approximately 17·5 kb. Part of the clone encoded exon 10 of the FSHR gene. Sequence analysis of this exon revealed an open reading frame corresponding to base positions 855–2085 of the FSHR cDNA, thereby coding for 410 amino acids. Exon 10 was found to comprise the seven transmembrane domains, the C-terminal intracellular domain and a fragment of 81 amino acids belonging to the extracellular N-terminal domain of the FSHR. The exon/intron boundary is in phase 2 and the amino acid which resides in this junction is isoleucine. The genomic clone was used to map the chromosomal localization of the human FSHR gene. In situ hybridization experiments allowed the allocation of the human gene to chromosome 2 p21. As this position is identical to that of the human LH receptor gene, these two receptor genes may have evolved from a common ancestor.
The oestrogen receptor modulates growth of pituitary tumour cells in the absence of exogenous oestrogen
Authors: Newton C J , Trapp T , Pagotto U , Renner U , Buric R , Stalla G K
Published: December 2008

The GH3 pituitary cell line has been used to investigate the role of the oestrogen receptor (ER) as a modulator of mitogenic signals in tumour cells in the absence of exogenous oestrogen. Using a chemically defined, serum- and oestrogen-free medium, we have demonstrated that the pure steroidal anti-oestrogens ICI 182780 and ICI 164384 are capable of blocking growth by more than 50% after 5 days of culture. Studies with conditioned medium have indicated that the basal growth is due to the secretion of autocrine growth stimulatory substances. Under serum- and oestrogen-free conditions, insulin and IGF-I increased the growth rate of these cells by twofold over a 5-day treatment period, and this effect was also blocked by the anti-oestrogens ICI 182780 and ICI 164384 (50% of maximum inhibition at 0·6 and 6 nM respectively). To explore the potential mechanism by which the ER apparently facilitates the growth factor effects under oestrogen-free conditions, GH3 cells were transiently transfected with a plasmid reporter containing the vitellogenin oestrogen response element (ΔMTV-ERE-LUC). We have shown that as well as oestradiol (OE2), insulin and IGF-I induce luciferase activity by between two- and sevenfold (four experiments), and these effects were completely blocked by ICI 182780. In contrast, growth factors and OE2 were unable to induce luciferase expression when transfections were performed with a plasmid reporter lacking the oestrogen response element. The studies presented here strongly suggest that, in the absence of oestrogen, the ER in these pituitary tumour cells has a role in growth, as peptide factors are able to induce its conversion to a state which is capable of up-regulating the transcription of key growth-promoting genes.
Response element selectivity for heterodimerization of vitamin D receptors with retinoic acid and retinoid X receptors
Authors: Schräder M , Müller K M , Becker-André M , Carlberg C
Published: December 2008

The transcription of vitamin D (VD) responsive genes is regulated by three different nuclear signalling pathways mediated by homodimers of VD receptors (VDRs), heterodimers of VDRs and retinoid X receptors (RXRs) and heterodimers of VDRs with retinoic acid receptors (RARs). Here, the in vitro DNA-binding affinity of all three receptor complexes was shown to be enhanced by the presence of VD. However, the specificity of the three pathways was dictated by the differential affinities of the receptor complexes for VD response elements. Potential response elements were distinguished by the sequence, the separation and the relative orientation of the hexameric core binding motifs. It was found that both VDR-RAR and VDR-RXR heterodimers act functionally on all three response element configurations: direct repeats, palindromes and inverted palindromes. With direct repeats, neither heterodimer type showed a preference for any of the three principal core motifs, (A/G)GGTGA, (A/G)GGTCA and (A/G)GTTCA. However, while they did exhibit preferences for core motifs in palindromes, the spacing requirements were identical for both complexes. Inverted palindromes, however, formed the most specific response elements. A simple model explains a steric link between the optimal spacing of direct repeats and that of inverted palindromes. Taken together, the experimental data and the model provide further criteria for the screening of VD responsive genes.
Progressive changes in milk protein gene expression and prolactin binding during lactation in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii)
Authors: Bird P H , Hendry K A K , Shaw D C , Wilde C J , Nicholas K R
Published: December 2008

Changes in milk protein gene expression and specific prolactin binding were quantified in mammary tissue from the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) at different stages of lactation. The transition from early (phase 2) lactation to late (phase 3) lactation was characterized by the induction of the gene for late lactation protein, a novel whey protein. During the same period, the levels of β-lactoglobulin and β-casein gene expression increased, whereas there was no change in the levels of expression of α-lactalbumin and α-casein genes. Prolactin binding in the mammary gland doubled during the latter half of phase 2 of lactation but declined significantly during the transition to phase 3 of lactation. These changes in prolactin binding resulted from changes in the number of receptors and not from a change in the affinity of the receptor for prolactin. Treatment of membranes with concanavalin A increased the number of prolactin-binding sites by 40% in membranes from phase 2 mammary tissue but decreased binding by 40% in membranes from phase 3 tissue, indicating that significant changes had occurred in the membranes of cells during this period. The tammar wallaby can secrete phase 2 and phase 3 milk from adjacent mammary glands (asynchronous concurrent lactation) and the developmental changes in milk protein gene expression and prolactin binding observed during lactation were reflected in these individual glands. Taken collectively, these findings suggest that mammary development and milk secretion in the tammar wallaby are regulated by both endocrine and local (intramammary) mechanisms.
Developmental changes in the distribution of pro-opiomelanocortin and prolactin mRNA in the pituitary of the ovine fetus and lamb
Authors: Matthews S G , Han X , Lu F , Challis J R G
Published: December 2008

Ontogenic changes in pituitary pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and prolactin (PRL) mRNA were examined during gestation and early neonatal life using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Pituitaries were harvested from fetuses at days 60–80, 100–120, 135–140 and 142–143 of gestation and at term, and from lambs at days 1–7 and 30–60 of age and adults.

POMC mRNA, present by day 60, rose during mid- and late gestation. Concurrently there was a change in corticotroph distribution, resulting in a relatively greater quantity of POMC mRNA at the base of the pars distalis. At term, there was a significant (P<0·05) further elevation of POMC mRNA. POMC mRNA levels remained high in the newborn lamb but decreased in the adult. Cells in the pars intermedia expressed large amounts of POMC mRNA early in fetal life and this pattern persisted throughout gestation and into the neonatal period. Changes in the expression of the POMC gene correlated closely with the presence of immunoreactive (ir)ACTH in the pituitary; in fetuses the proportion of irACTH-positive cells rose to 10% of pars distalis cells by day 100 and did not change significantly thereafter. The lactotrophs contained PRL mRNA by day 60, and the quantity increased towards parturition (P<0·05). PRL mRNA subsequently decreased in the neonate, but rose as the lamb matured.

These results indicate that in the fetal pituitary: (1) the POMC gene is highly expressed during gestation in both the pars distalis and the pars intermedia, (2) changes in the amounts of POMC mRNA and PRL mRNA in the pars distalis correlate with the distribution of irACTH and irPRL respectively, and (3) POMC mRNA is distributed primarily in the inferior aspect of the pars distalis, and in this region its quantity is highest immediately prior to parturition.