Expression of delta opioid receptor mRNA and protein in the rat cerebral cortex and cerebellum is decreased by growth hormone.
Journal article, 2003
Hormones released from the pituitary have been shown to regulate the expression of different proteins in the central nervous system. We wanted to examine whether peripheral administration of bovine growth hormone (bGH) regulates the expression of delta-opioid receptor (DOR) in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Expression of the DOR protein was quantified using Western blot densitometry. DOR mRNA was quantified with a solution hybridization RNase protection assay. Hypophysectomized (Hx) and untreated normal female rats were included in the study. All Hx rats were hormonally treated with cortisol (400 microg/kg/day) and L-thyroxine (10 microg/kg/day) for 19 days. Hypophysectomy resulted in a threefold increase in cerebral cortex and a twofold increase in cerebellum of the DOR protein compared with normal rats. One subgroup of Hx rats received bGH (1 mg/kg body weight) as a daily subcutaneous injection for 19 days. This treatment normalized the levels of DOR protein in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Immunohistochemical experiments showed that GH decreased DOR expression especially in layers II-VI in cerebral cortex and in stratum moleculare in cerebellum. Quantification of DOR mRNA by solution hybridization RNase protection assay corresponded to the DOR protein measurements. We conclude that the expression of DORs in cerebral cortex and cerebellum is regulated by GH.
pharmacology
Opioid
Receptors
Protein Biosynthesis
drug effects
Female
Sprague-Dawley
delta
metabolism
biosynthesis
Gene Expression Regulation
Rats
Cattle
drug effects
analysis
analysis
Cerebral Cortex
Messenger
Proteins
analysis
biosynthesis
chemistry
Cerebellum
Rats
chemistry
physiology
drug effects
metabolism
Growth Hormone
RNA
Animals
Author
Anders I. Persson
University of Gothenburg
N David Åberg
University of Gothenburg
Jan Oscarsson
University of Gothenburg
Olle Isaksson
University of Gothenburg
Lars Rönnbäck
University of Gothenburg
Fredrik Frick
University of Gothenburg
Christian Sonesson
University of Gothenburg
Chalmers, Department of Mathematical Statistics
Peter S Eriksson
University of Gothenburg
Journal of Neuroscience Research
0360-4012 (ISSN) 1097-4547 (eISSN)
Vol. 71 4 496-503Subject Categories
Endocrinology and Diabetes
Neurology
DOI
10.1002/jnr.10515
PubMed
12548705