Vasopressinergic innervation of the bovine pineal gland: is there a local source for arginine vasopressin?

Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences
J OlceseR Ivell

Abstract

Although the presence of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the mammalian pineal has been characterized biochemically, the source of this nonapeptide hormone remains enigmatic. Most earlier data pointed to an extrapineal origin, although some recent evidence suggests intrapineal synthesis of AVP. The present study examined this issue using a combination of immunohistochemistry with antibodies against both the AVP and neurophysin moieties of the AVP precursor polypeptide, together with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the specific mRNA. Furthermore, the effects of AVP on melatonin production by monolayer cultures of bovine pinealocytes were examined. Bovine pineal glands possessed numerous neurophysin- and AVP-immunopositive nerve fibers, mainly in the distal part of the gland. However, no positively stained perikarya were observed. As a positive control perikarya of AVP cells were easily identifiable in the magnocellular cells of the bovine hypothalamus. Nevertheless, a highly sensitive PCR assay specific for full-length AVP mRNA did indicate the presence of AVP gene transcripts in both bovine and ovine pineal glands, using two different primer combinations. This suggests either that there are AVP perikarya in the pineal wh...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 1, 1994·Journal of Pineal Research·M G Welsh
Jun 3, 2020·Molecules : a Journal of Synthetic Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry·Retno WidyowatiKatsuyoshi Matsunami
May 14, 1997·Regulatory Peptides·H R RahmaniC D Ingram
Jan 1, 1996·Neurochemistry International·M MøllerB Cozzi
Jan 1, 1996·Progress in Histochemistry and Cytochemistry·A MeinielB Dastugue

❮ 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.