Pro-opiomelanocortin colocalizes with corticotropin- releasing factor in axon terminals of the noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus

The European Journal of Neuroscience
Beverly ReyesE J van Bockstaele

Abstract

We previously demonstrated that the opioid peptide enkephalin and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) are occasionally colocalized in individual axon terminals but more frequently converge on common dendrites in the locus coeruleus (LC). To further examine potential opioid cotransmitters in CRF afferents we investigated the distribution of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), the precursor that yields the potent bioactive peptide beta-endorphin, with respect to CRF immunoreactivity using immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopic analyses of the LC. Coronal sections were collected through the dorsal pontine tegmentum of rat brain and processed for immunocytochemical detection of POMC and CRF or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). POMC-immunoreactive processes exhibited a distinct distribution within the LC as compared to the enkephalin family of opioid peptides. Specifically, POMC fibers were enriched in the ventromedial aspect of the LC with fewer fibers present dorsolaterally. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed frequent coexistence of POMC and CRF in varicose processes that overlapped TH-containing somatodendritic processes in the LC. Ultrastructural analysis showed POMC immunoreactivity in unmyelinated axons and axon terminals. Axo...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 22, 2013·Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Ream Al-HasaniMichael R Bruchas
Mar 24, 2012·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Matthew S DickenShane T Hentges
May 20, 2015·Acta Pharmacologica Sinica·Ai HangJing-gen Liu
Apr 30, 2017·The Journal of Endocrinology·Luba SominskySarah J Spencer
Nov 11, 2017·Frontiers in Endocrinology·Ilvana ZikoSarah J Spencer
Apr 3, 2008·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·B A S ReyesE J Van Bockstaele
Aug 6, 2017·Brain Structure & Function·Jennifer A RossElisabeth J Van Bockstaele

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