Regional expression of mRNA encoding a second form of gonadotropin- releasing hormone in the Macaque brain

Henryk F. Urbanski, Richard B. White, Russell D. Fernald, Steven G. Kohama, Vasilios T. Garyfallou, Valerie S. Densmore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Scopus citations

Abstract

In mammals, reproduction is thought to be controlled by a single neuropeptide, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH-I), which regulates the synthesis and secretion of gonadotropins from the pituitary gland. However, another form of this decapeptide (GnRH-II), of unknown function, also exists in the brain of many vertebrate species, including humans; it is encoded by a different gene and its amino acid sequence is 70% identical to that of GnRH- I. Here we report the cloning of a GnRH-II cDNA from the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), and show for the first time by in situ hybridization that GnRH-II mRNA is expressed in the primate midbrain, hippocampus and discrete nuclei of the hypothalamus, including the supraoptic, paraventricular, suprachiasmatic and arcuate. Because the regional distribution pattern of cells containing GnRH-II mRNA is largely dissimilar to that of cells containing GnRH-I mRNA, it is likely that these two cell populations receive distinct neuroendocrine inputs and thus regulate GnRH synthesis and release differently.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1945-1948
Number of pages4
JournalEndocrinology
Volume140
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology

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