Distribution of follistatin messenger ribonucleic acid in the rat brain: implications for a role in the regulation of central reproductive functions

Endocrinology
L A MacConellV J Roberts

Abstract

Follistatin (FS), which binds to the inhibin/activin beta A- or beta B-subunit is localized with and modulates the biological actions of activin in many systems. However, in contrast to the wide distribution of the activin beta-subunit proteins and messenger RNAs (mRNA) in the brain, demonstration of FS mRNA signal has been limited to the olfactory tubercle and layer II of the frontal cortex. We have hypothesized a more extensive distribution of central FS gene expression and localization in regions coinciding with inhibin/activin beta-subunits and possible activin-mediated effects. In the present study, we examined the central distribution of FS mRNA expression in the normal adult male rat. With in situ hybridization analysis, using a 33P-labeled RNA probe specific for rat FS, gene expression is shown to be widely distributed throughout the brain. Abundant FS mRNA expression is localized in several areas of the olfactory bulb as well as the frontal cortex, a few thalamic nuclei, and in septal regions. Moderate FS mRNA is observed in the caudate putamen and various hypothalamic areas including the paraventricular, ventromedial, dorsomedial, and arcuate nuclei. Several brain stem regions are also found to express FS mRNA, includ...Continue Reading

Citations

Aug 19, 2000·Biochemistry and Cell Biology = Biochimie Et Biologie Cellulaire·C Peng, S T Mukai
Nov 4, 1998·Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology·D J Phillips, D M de Kretser
Nov 26, 1998·Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences·S JhaveriM M Matzuk

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