Localization of the melatonin-related receptor in the rodent brain and peripheral tissues

Janice Drew, Perry Barrett, Julian Mercer, Kim-Marie Moar, E Canet, P Delegrange, Peter John Morgan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

101 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Previous studies have provided a limited examination of the expression of the orphan melatonin-related receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus of human and sheep and retinal tissue in the sheep. The present study reports evidence of conservation of expression in regions of the hypothalamus (dorsal medial hypothalamus, lateral hypothalamus, arcuate nucleus), the epithelial layer lining the third ventricle and the paraventricular thalamic nucleus of the mouse, rat and hamster. An extensive and detailed analysis of melatonin-related receptor mRNA expression in the mouse central nervous system and peripheral tissues is presented. Mapping the distribution throughout the entire mouse brain has revealed new sites of expression in a number of brain nuclei, including preoptic areas, parabrachial nuclei and widespread distribution in the olfactory bulb. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed with RNA isolated from peripheral tissues revealing expression of the melatonin-related receptor mRNA in the mouse kidney, adrenal gland, intestine, stomach, heart, lung, skin. testis and ovary. These results suggest a conserved function in neuroendocrine regulation and a potential role in coordinating physiological responses in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)453-458
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Neuroendocrinology
Volume13
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2001

Keywords

  • orphan receptors
  • G-protein coupled receptors
  • hypothalamus
  • neuroanatomy
  • in situ hybridization
  • corticosterone release
  • rats
  • pituitary
  • neurons
  • cloning
  • nuclei

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Localization of the melatonin-related receptor in the rodent brain and peripheral tissues'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this