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Adenosine stimulates neuromedin U mRNA expression in the rat pars tuberalis

Sayaka Aizawa1, Tingting Gu1, Arisa Kaminoda1

  • 1Department of Biology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kitaku, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan.

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|July 26, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Adenosine stimulates Neuromedin U (NMU) expression in the rat pars tuberalis (PT) via the adenosine receptor A2b and cAMP pathway. This reveals adenosine as a central metabolic signal regulating NMU, alongside melatonin.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Molecular signaling

Background:

  • Neuromedin U (NMU) exhibits circadian expression in the rat pars tuberalis (PT).
  • Melatonin is known to suppress NMU expression in the PT.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of adenosine in regulating Nmu expression in the rat PT.
  • To elucidate the signaling pathway involved in adenosine-mediated Nmu regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Assessment of adenosine receptor A2b expression in the rat PT.
  • Stimulation of Nmu expression using an adenosine receptor agonist (NECA) in brain slice cultures.
  • In vitro promoter assays to determine the mechanism of NECA action.
  • Measurement of phosphorylated CRE-binding protein levels.

Main Results:

  • The rat PT expresses adenosine receptor A2b.
  • NECA significantly stimulated Nmu expression in rat brain slice cultures.
  • NECA enhanced Nmu promoter activity via a cAMP response element (CRE) dependent on adenosine receptor A2b.
  • NECA increased phosphorylated CRE-binding protein levels.

Conclusions:

  • Adenosine stimulates Nmu expression in the rat PT through the adenosine receptor A2b and the cAMP signaling pathway.
  • This study identifies adenosine as a novel regulator of Nmu expression in the PT, acting as an internal metabolic signal.
  • Adenosine's role complements melatonin's function as an external environmental signal in regulating NMU in the PT.
Keywords:
Adenosine receptorCircadian rhythmMelatoninNeuromedin UPars tuberaliscAMP response element

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