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Bombesin Receptor Gene Expression in Rat Embryos: Transient GRP-R Gene Expression in the Posterior Pituitary
1Laboratory of Neurochemistry, NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; and Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, DTP, DCT, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences
|November 17, 2009
Summary
Two bombesin receptors (BN-R), gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R) and neuromedin B receptor (NMB-R), show distinct prenatal expression patterns. GRP-R is widely expressed, suggesting roles in multiple organ development, while NMB-R expression is more limited.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Molecular endocrinology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Bombesin-like peptides stimulate cell growth and act as autocrine factors in lung carcinoma.
- Two mammalian bombesin receptors (BN-R), GRP-R and NMB-R, have been identified.
- These receptors are found in distinct regions of the central nervous system at birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prenatal distribution of GRP-R and NMB-R mRNAs.
- To correlate the spatial and temporal expression of BN-R genes with developmental events.
- To understand the distinct roles of GRP-R and NMB-R during embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization histochemistry was used to compare the prenatal distribution of GRP-R and NMB-R mRNAs.
- Analysis focused on various organs and developmental stages from early embryogenesis to birth.
Main Results:
- GRP-R mRNA expression was observed early in development across diverse organs, including nervous, urogenital, respiratory, and digestive systems.
- NMB-R gene expression was detected later and exhibited a more restricted distribution.
- Both receptor mRNAs generally increased in expression during development, with a notable transient expression of GRP-R in the posterior pituitary from embryonic day 12 to 20.
Conclusions:
- The two BN-R subtypes, GRP-R and NMB-R, mediate independent functions during development.
- GRP-R mediated events are likely involved in the ontogenesis of multiple organs.
- GRP-R gene expression plays a role in the differentiation and development of the pituitary gland.
