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Plasminogen regulates pro-opiomelanocortin processing
1Joseph J. Jacobs Center for Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Department of Molecular Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Plasminogen deficiency impairs the processing of stress-related hormones like beta-endorphin and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. This hormonal imbalance affects normal brain function and stress responses in mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Plasminogen-deficient mice show altered stress responses, including a reduced acoustic startle reflex.
- The acoustic startle reflex impacts the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and hormone regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if plasminogen influences hormone processing within the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
- Investigate the role of plasminogen in the regulation of stress hormones.
Main Methods:
- Compared hormone concentrations and precursor processing in wild-type and plasminogen-deficient mice before and after acoustic startle reflex testing.
- Analyzed plasma, pituitary, and brain tissues for specific hormones and their precursors.
Main Results:
- Plasminogen deficiency led to significantly lower levels of beta-endorphin and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone in plasma, pituitary, and brain.
- Plasmin demonstrated the ability to degrade pro-opiomelanocortin precursor peptides.
- Restoring beta-endorphin and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone in plasminogen-deficient mice enhanced the acoustic startle reflex.
Conclusions:
- Plasmin is crucial for processing pro-opiomelanocortin-derived hormones in the intermediate pituitary.
- Reduced plasminogen function impairs beta-endorphin and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone processing, disrupting normal brain function and stress response.
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