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Expression of adrenomedullin mRNA in the human brain and pituitary
1Department of Applied Physiology and Molecular Biology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan.
Abstract:
We have recently reported the presence of immunoreactive (IR) adrenomedullin (ADM) in the human brain. In the present study, the expression of ADM mRNA was studied by Northern blot analysis in the human brain and pituitary, and the presence of IR-ADM in the human pituitary was studied by radioimmunoassay. ADM mRNA was clearly detected in every region of the brain examined and in the pituitary. High concentrations of IR-ADM were present in the whole pituitary (16.7 +/- 2.0 pmol/g wet weight, mean +/- SEM, n = 4). Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography of the pituitary showed a peak eluting in the position of human ADM(1-52). These findings suggest that ADM acts as a neuromodulator or a neurotransmitter in the brain, and as an autocrine factor, a paracrine factor, or a neurohormone in the pituitary.
Insights
Adrenomedullin (ADM) is present in the human brain and pituitary. This study found ADM mRNA and immunoreactive ADM in the pituitary, suggesting roles as a neuromodulator or neurohormone.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The presence of immunoreactive adrenomedullin (ADM) in the human brain has been previously reported.
- Further investigation is needed to understand the expression and function of ADM in the central nervous system and pituitary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of ADM mRNA in the human brain and pituitary.
- To quantify the presence of immunoreactive ADM (IR-ADM) in the human pituitary.
- To elucidate the potential roles of ADM in the brain and pituitary.
Main Methods:
- Northern blot analysis to detect ADM mRNA expression in human brain and pituitary tissue.
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) to measure IR-ADM concentrations in the human pituitary.
- Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) for ADM identification.
Main Results:
- ADM mRNA was detected in all examined regions of the human brain and in the pituitary gland.
- High concentrations of IR-ADM were found in the human pituitary (16.7 +/- 2.0 pmol/g).
- RP-HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of human ADM(1-52) in pituitary extracts.
Conclusions:
- ADM is expressed at both mRNA and protein levels in the human brain and pituitary.
- ADM likely functions as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter in the brain.
- In the pituitary, ADM may act as an autocrine factor, paracrine factor, or neurohormone.