Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Isolation Protocol of Mouse Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells and Their Subsequent In Vitro Activation with Tumor Immune Complexes
11:48

Isolation Protocol of Mouse Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells and Their Subsequent In Vitro Activation with Tumor Immune Complexes

Published on: May 31, 2018

Pro-opiomelanocortin messenger ribonucleic acid and posttranslational processing of beta endorphin in spleen

S J Lolait, J A Clements, A J Markwick

    The Journal of Clinical Investigation
    |June 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    The spleen synthesizes pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), producing beta-endorphin (beta-EP) in macrophages. This suggests opioid peptides play a role in immune modulation via spleen cells.

    Area of Science:

    • Immunology
    • Neuroendocrinology
    • Molecular Biology

    Background:

    • Opioid peptides, like beta-endorphin (beta-EP), are implicated in immune response modulation.
    • Previous studies detected beta-EP and ACTH in mouse spleen macrophages, suggesting local opioid peptide synthesis.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To confirm pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) synthesis in the spleen.
    • To identify specific endorphin forms produced by spleen macrophages.

    Main Methods:

    • Northern blot analysis using complementary DNA probes to detect POMC messenger RNA in mouse and rat spleen extracts.
    • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to characterize endorphin species in mouse spleen macrophages.

    Main Results:

    • POMC messenger RNA was detected in both mouse and rat spleen extracts, confirming the spleen as an organ of POMC synthesis.
    • The predominant endorphin form in mouse spleen macrophages was identified as beta-EP1-31.
    • Smaller amounts of acetylated beta-EP forms, including alpha-endorphin and gamma-endorphin, were also found.

    Conclusions:

    • The spleen is an active site for POMC synthesis.
    • The primary product of macrophage POMC processing in the spleen is the opiate-receptor active beta-EP1-31, highlighting its potential role in immune regulation.

    More Related Videos

    Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding09:12

    Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding

    Published on: November 14, 2018

    Highly Efficient Transfection of Primary Macrophages with In Vitro Transcribed mRNA06:46

    Highly Efficient Transfection of Primary Macrophages with In Vitro Transcribed mRNA

    Published on: November 9, 2019

    Related Concept Videos

    Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria01:19

    Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

    Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
    Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
    Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
    Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells01:15

    Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells

    Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
    TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

    TGF - β Signaling Pathway

    The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
    Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission01:27

    Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

    Postganglionic sympathetic fibers (except those supplying the sweat glands) releasing noradrenaline or norepinephrine are called noradrenergic or adrenergic neurons. Noradrenaline, dopamine, adrenaline, or epinephrine are collectively called "catecholamines" as they contain a catechol moiety and an amine side chain. The five stages of neurotransmitter release involve their synthesis, storage, release, reuptake and metabolism.
    Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which is taken...
    Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

    Opioid Receptors: Overview

    Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin or DPDPE for...
    Regulation of Food Intake01:30

    Regulation of Food Intake

    Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...