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Resistin expression and regulation in mouse pituitary
Barbara A Morash1, Diane Willkinson, Ehud Ur
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, 5980 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, Canada B3J 3G9.
FEBS Letters
|September 5, 2002
Summary
Resistin, an adipocytokine, is found in the mouse brain and pituitary gland. Its expression in the pituitary is developmentally regulated and influenced by the hypothalamus, suggesting novel functions beyond insulin resistance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Adipokine research
Background:
- Resistin is an adipocytokine primarily found in adipose tissue.
- Its role in insulin resistance is debated.
- Leptin, another adipocytokine, has functions beyond adipose tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and regulation of resistin in the mouse brain and pituitary gland.
- To explore potential roles of resistin in non-adipose tissues.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect resistin gene (Retn) expression.
- Immunohistochemistry to localize resistin protein.
- Semi-quantitative RT-PCR to analyze developmental regulation of Retn mRNA.
Main Results:
- Resistin gene and protein are expressed in the mouse hypothalamus, cortex, and pituitary gland.
- Pituitary resistin mRNA expression shows a significant peak between postnatal days 14 and 25.
- This developmental peak is regulated by the hypothalamus and unaffected by early weaning.
Conclusions:
- Resistin is present in the mouse brain and pituitary, suggesting roles beyond insulin resistance.
- Local resistin expression may be important for the maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary system during prepubertal development.