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Glucagon receptor mRNA distribution in rat tissues
L H Hansen1, N Abrahamsen, E Nishimura
1Department of Molecular Signalling, Hagedorn Research Institute, Gentofte, Denmark.
Peptides
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Glucagon receptors are present in many rat tissues beyond the liver, including the spleen and thyroid. This suggests glucagon may have undiscovered roles in various organs.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Glucagon primarily regulates hepatic glucose production.
- Extrahepatic effects of glucagon are increasingly recognized.
- The distribution and function of glucagon receptors outside the liver are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of glucagon receptor mRNA in various rat tissues.
- To identify potential novel sites of glucagon action.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of glucagon receptor mRNA expression using RT-PCR across multiple rat tissues.
- Comparison of expression levels in known glucagon-responsive and non-responsive tissues.
Main Results:
- Glucagon receptor mRNA was abundant in liver, kidney, heart, adipose tissue, spleen, pancreatic islets, ovary, and thymus.
- Lower levels of glucagon receptor mRNA were detected in the stomach, small intestine, adrenal gland, thyroid, and skeletal muscle.
- Expression was confirmed in tissues not traditionally associated with glucagon action.
Conclusions:
- The presence of glucagon receptors in diverse tissues supports their role in mediating glucagon's known and potentially novel effects.
- Glucagon may exert previously unrecognized functions in organs such as the spleen, thymus, thyroid, adrenal gland, ovary, and skeletal muscle.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate these potential new roles of glucagon.