Physiological control of Xunc18 expression in neuroendocrine melanotrope cells of Xenopus laevis

Endocrinology
S M KolkEric W Roubos

Abstract

In mammals, the brain-specific protein munc18-1 regulates synaptic vesicle exocytosis at the synaptic junction, in a step before vesicle fusion. We hypothesize that the rate of biosynthesis of munc18-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and the amount of munc18-1 present in neurons and neuroendocrine cells are related to the physiologically controlled state of activity. To test this hypothesis, the homolog of munc18-1 in the clawed toad Xenopus laevis, xunc18, was studied in the brain and in the neuroendocrine melanotrope cells in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland, at both the mRNA and the protein level. In toads adapted to a black background, the melanotropes release the peptide alpha-melanophore-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), which induces darkening of the skin, whereas in animals adapted to a white background the cells hardly release but store alpha-MSH, making the animal's skin look pale. The intermediate pituitary lobe of black-adapted animals revealed a strong hybridization reaction with the xunc18 mRNA probe, whereas a much weaker hybridization was observed in the intermediate lobe of white-adapted animals (optical density black: 3.4 +/- 0.2 vs. white: 0.8 +/- 0.1; P < 0.02). Immunocytochemically, Xenopus munc18-like prot...Continue Reading

References

Apr 1, 1979·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·P Novick, R Schekman
Jan 1, 1992·Progress in Brain Research·E W Roubos
Jan 20, 1983·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·T J Neary, R G Northcutt
Mar 1, 1995·The Journal of Cell Biology·K SadoulP A Halban
Mar 11, 1994·Cell·V O'ConnorH Betz
Jul 21, 1994·Nature·S Ferro-Novick, R Jahn
Feb 15, 1994·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·J PevsnerR H Scheller
Mar 15, 1994·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·E P GarciaP De Camilli
Aug 1, 1993·Current Opinion in Cell Biology·R Bauerfeind, W B Huttner
Mar 29, 1996·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·S OritaY Takai
Nov 1, 1996·Neurochemistry International·H OgawaR Hosono
Dec 1, 1996·Endocrinology·G Jacobsson, B Meister
Jun 1, 1997·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·P I HansonR Jahn
Feb 12, 1998·The Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry : Official Journal of the Histochemistry Society·C A BerghsE W Roubos
Feb 12, 1998·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·M Okamoto, T C Südhof
Dec 24, 1997·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Physiology·E W Roubos
Apr 1, 1999·Annual Review of Physiology·R Fernández-Chacón, T C Südhof
Apr 9, 1999·Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology·A M Van Horssen, G J Martens
Jan 29, 2000·The European Journal of Neuroscience·K J de VriesM Verhage

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.