Structure-activity studies with ACTH/alpha-MSH fragments on corticosteroid secretion of isolated zona glomerulosa and fasciculata cells

The steroidogenic action of ACTH/alpha-MSH fragments was studied on isolated zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata cells dispersed by collagenase. ACTH-(4-7), ACTH-(6-10), ACTH-(4-10) and ACTH-(11-13) stimulated corticosterone production of the zona fasciculata and aldosterone production of the zona glomerulosa cells. ACTH-(7-10) was ineffective. ACTH-(4-7) appeared to be the most potent peptide of the tested fragments. None of the fragments affected the steroidogenic action of ACTH-(1-39). It is suggested that similar to the melanotropic effect of alpha-MSH two 'message' sequences for adrenocortical stimulation exist in the alpha-MSH part of the ACTH molecule.     

Comparison of structural requirements of alpha-MSH and ACTH for inducing excessive grooming and pigment dispersion

alpha-MSH and ACTH-like peptides are known to play an important role in the adaptation of many vertebrates to a new environment. These peptides induce pigment dispersion in amphibian melanophores through a receptor-mediated mechanism. In this study we compared the structural requirements of these peptides for melanotropic activity on Xenopus laevis melanophores with those for inducing excessive grooming in the rat. With the exception of ACTH1-24 there is a close resemblance in structure-activity relationships of the fragments and analogs tested in the two bioassays. [Nle4,-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH is extremely active in both assays. Weak agonists such as [Leu9]-alpha-MSH did not possess antagonistic properties either in the melanophore assay or in the excessive grooming test. The data suggest that the mechanism of action of alpha-MSH-like peptides in rat brain is receptor-mediated like their action on melanophores.     

Quantification of the permeability of the blood-CSF barrier to alpha-MSH in the rat

The ability of alpha-MSH to cross the blood-CSF barrier of the rat was assessed by measurement of the rate of appearance of immunoreactive alpha-MSH in a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) perfusate following intravenous injection of peptide. Comparisons were made with the rate of appearance of a simultaneously administered dose of 14C-inulin which is poorly permeable at the blood-CSF barrier. Concentrations of drugs measured in plasma were fitted to two-compartment pharmacokinetic models, and those measured in the CSF perfusate to one-compartment open systems receiving an input from the plasma compartment. The rate constant for entry of alpha-MSH into CSF was 0.00087 min-1, which was not significantly different from that for inulin of 0.00055 min-1. As alpha-MSH penetrated into CSF at a rate comparable to inulin, it was concluded that the limited entry of peptide was by aqueous diffusion along with other water-soluble macromolecules.     

Hypothermic and antipyretic effects of centrally administered ACTH (1--24) and alpha-melanotropin

ACTH (1--24) and alpha-melanotropin (alpha-MSH), peptides previously shown to influence body temperature when administered centrally and to occur naturally in brain regions important to temperature control, were injected intracerebroventricularly (ICV) in rabbits. The peptides in doses of 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 micrograms produced dose-related hypothermias in a 23 degrees C environment, and greater decreases in body temperature when the experiments were repeated in the cold (10 degrees C), but the largest dose had no effect on temperature in the heat (30 degrees C). These results indicate that the peptides do not reduce the central set-point of temperature control. Rather, they appear to selectively inhibit heat conservation and production responses. Five microgram of ACTH reversed vasoconstriction and inhibited rises in temperature caused by leukocytic pyrogen (LP) given IV and ICV. The same dose of alpha-MSH also reduced fever produced by IV and ICV LP, but the reduction was not as great as after ACTH. Both peptides (5 micrograms) also reduced temperature rises and vasoconstriction caused by ICV PGE2. ACTH reduced d-amphetamine-induced hyperthermia without altering vasoconstriction which suggests that this peptide can reduce temperature rises by inhibiting heat production alone. One of the most important findings was that the peptides are antipyretic in that they reduce fever at doses (0.25 microgram, ICV) that do not affect normal temperature. The powerful effects of these peptides on resting body temperature, hyperthermia and fever, together with their presence in brain tissue important to temperature control, suggest that the endogenous central peptides participate in thermoregulation, perhaps by limiting fever and influencing normal temperature.     

Intravenous alpha-MSH reduces fever in the squirrel monkey

alpha-MSH reduces fever in rabbits when administered IV, ICV, or by gavage; however, the applicability of this finding to higher species, specifically to primates, has not been determined. In this study, we chose the squirrel monkey as an appropriate primate model since it responds reliably to peripheral administration of bacterial endotoxins that cause fever in man. From pilot studies, doses of S. typhosa endotoxin necessary to produce maximum fever and doses of alpha-MSH which did not cause hypothermia were determined for each animal. In the main experiments endotoxin was given via an indwelling catheter in the saphenous vein, followed by alpha-MSH injections when the rectal temperature increased 0.3 degrees C. alpha-MSH (100-400 micrograms) reduced the area under the fever curve an average of 50.0%, but had no effect on afebrile temperature. Molar equivalent amounts of the antipyretic drug acetaminophen had little effect on fever. These findings support the idea, based on research on rabbits, that alpha-MSH has a role in central modulation of fever.     

Behavioral support for an ACTH receptor in the CNS

In this report we present a series of experiments which have led us to support the notion of the presence of an ACTH receptor in the CNS. A short intense heat-stress (hot-plate) applied to the paws of rats will temporarily reduce activity. During the course of experimentation we were able to eliminate a number of logical mediators. Neither adrenalectomy, adrenal-medullectomy, naloxone administration, nor alpha-MSH-(1-12) were able to affect the observed akinesia. Hypophysectomy, however, was able to abolish or mask the behavior and the reduction in activity could be reinstated by the administration of ACTH-(4-10) to hypophysectomised rats. These data support the notion that a short intense stressor can release ACTH and that this ACTH can be responsible for mediating the short term reduction in activity. In addition, the fact that ACTH-(4-10) has only minimal steroidogenic properties and was able to reinstate the behavior led us to speculate that these effects were of central origin. Furthermore, since naloxone was not capable of altering the behavior, the suggestion is that ACTH in this paradigm acted at a receptor site apart from the naloxone sensitive receptor. This site may in fact be an ACTH specific receptor.     

Muscarinic supersensitivity of anterior pituitary ACTH and B-endorphin release in major depressive illness

Subjects with major depressive illness had greater increases in plasma concentrations of ACTH and B-endorphin immunoreactivity in response to central muscarinic stimulation by physostigmine, than did normal control subjects, or psychiatric control subjects without major depressive illness. These findings provide further evidence for muscarinic receptor supersensitivity in depression and may implicate an abnormality of peptide physiology in the pathogenesis of depression.     

SUA41蛋白表达和纯化及其多克隆抗体制备

旨在制备特异性SUA41多克隆抗体,为深入研究其在植物生长发育中的功能提供有力的分子生物学和生物化学的工具。PCR扩增拟南芥SUA41基因中编码280个氨基酸(401-680位氨基酸)的特异片段,经过GATEWAY的DNA重组技术构建了原核表达载体pDEST17-SUA41,用热休克法转化到E.coliBL21(DE3)star感受态细胞,以异丙基β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导表达出6×His-SUA41融合蛋白,用8 mol/L尿素缓冲液溶解包涵体并且经过水逐级去除尿素获得提纯的融合蛋白,并利用Western blotting鉴定确认。融合蛋白经Ni金属螯合柱亲和层析得以纯化,用SDS-PAGE进一步纯化。纯化的融合蛋白经过SDS-PAGE后切胶回收,免疫小白兔,制备多抗血清,然后用Western blotting进行检测,鉴定血清特异性和效价。结果显示,融合蛋白6×His-SUA41免疫兔,产生特异性的SUA41兔抗血清,可以检测到细菌和拟南芥组织中SUA41蛋白。用水提纯变性剂尿素溶解的包涵体蛋白具有可行性。制备的特异性SUA41兔抗血清效价高,能够有效地识别大肠杆菌表达的和拟南芥的SUA41蛋白。在有合适的对照情况下,该兔抗血清可以用于分析植物中SUA41蛋白的功能。     

The distribution of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) in the central nervous system of the rat: an immunohistochemical study. II. Lower brain stem

The distribution of immunoreactive alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSHI) in the rat lower brain stem was examined by indirect immunofluorescence or peroxidase- anti-peroxidase immunohistochemical method using an antiserum against synthetic alpha-MSH. The results confirmed the presence of alpha-MSHI fibers in the midbrain central gray matter and parabrachial area, and demonstrated a much more extensive distribution of these fibers in various parts of the lower brain stem areas previously thought not contain alpha-MSHI fibers. In addition, the commissural nucleus was identified as a new alpha-MSHI neurons-containing site. No alpha-MSHI neurons were seen in other regions of the rat lower brain stem.     

Pro-opiocortin peptides in rat cerebrospinal fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) taken from rats implanted with chronic cisternal cannulae was subjected to gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-50. Fractions were monitored using radioimmunoassays for N-terminal pro-opiocortin (N-POC), gamma 3-melanotropin (gamma 3-MSH), C-terminal adrenocorticotropin (C-ACTH), alpha-endorphin, beta-endorphin, gamma-lipotropin (gamma-LPH) and alpha-MSH. Two peaks which corresponded in elution position to rat N-POC (1-74) and gamma 3-MSH were detected. The major C-ACTH-immunoreactive (IR) peak was found to correspond to 14k ACTH. While no alpha-endorphin immunoreactivity was detected in rat CSF, three beta-endorphin-IR peaks were identified in positions expected for beta-LPH, beta-endorphin (1-31) and beta-endorphin (1-27), as well as a major peak of activity with the elution characteristics and cross-reactivity of rat gamma-LPH. HPLC of the alpha-MSH-IR material in rat CSF revealed the presence of a major peak of immunoreactivity whose retention time did not correspond to the known oxidised and reduced forms of alpha-MSH and its desacetylated and diacetylated derivatives. The identity of this peak is unknown.     

Effect of glucagon antiserum on somatostatin,glucagon and insulin release from the isolated perfused rat pancreas

In order to elucidate the effect of glucagon antiserum on the endocrine pancreas, the release of somatostatin, glucagon, and insulin from the isolated perfused rat pancreas was studied following the infusion of arginine both with and without pretreatment by glucagon antiserum. Various concentrations of arginine in the presence of 5.5 mM glucose stimulated both somatostatin and glucagon secretion. However, the responses of somatostatin and glucagon were different at different doses of arginine. The infusion of glucagon antiserum strongly stimulated basal secretion in the perfusate total glucagon (free + antibody bound glucagon) and also enhanced its response to arginine, but free glucagon was undetectable in the perfusate during the infusion. On the other hand, the glucagon antiserum had no significant effect on either insulin or somatostatin secretion. Moreover, electron microscopic study revealed degrannulation and vacuolization in the cytoplasm of the A cells after exposure to glucagon antiserum, suggesting a hypersecretion of glucagon, but no significant change was found in the B cells or the D cells. We conclude that in a single pass perfusion system glucagon antiserum does not affect somatostatin or insulin secretion, although it enhances glucagon secretion.     

Influence of CCK and bombesin on ACTH and cortisol secretion in the conscious dog

Bombesin and cholecystokinin (CCK) have a variety of similar actions. Previous investigations have demonstrated that IP injections of bombesin and CCK-33 increased corticosterone secretion in conscious, freely-moving, fed rats. In this study bombesin or CCk-8 was administered by continuous, intravenous infusion to conscious, awake, fasted, mongrel dogs. Following a 30-40 minute control infusion, a progressively-increasing, stepwise infusion of either bombesin (0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 micrograms/kg-hr) or CCK-8 (62.5, 125, and 250 ng/kg-hr) was administered. Each drug dose was infused for 40-45 minutes and blood samples were drawn at 20-22.5 minutes intervals. Bombesin caused significant, dose-dependent increases in plasma cortisol (286 +/- 39% of control) and plasma ACTH (176 +/- 33% of control). CCK-8 had no consistent effect on either cortisol or ACTH secretion. Whether the lack of effect of CCK-8 in dogs, as compared to rats, is due to species variations or to the differing experimental designs is unknown.     

Selective effects of alpha-MSH and MIF-1 on the blood-brain barrier

The effects of intravenously-injected alpha-MSH and MIF-1 (Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2) on the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to a large protein and a small anion were studied using radioiodinated serum albumin (RISA) and 99mTc-labeled sodium pertechnetate. The permeability of the BBB to RISA was unaltered by either peptide. Permeability to the inorganic pertechnetate anion, however, was significantly increased by alpha-MSH but not by MIF-1 at doses known to evoke EEG and behavioral responses. The peptides did not cause a change in the systemic blood pressure. It is possible, therefore, that at least some CNS effects of peripherally administered peptides are exerted by alteration of the permeability of the BBB to other substances.     

Effect of ACTH, dexamethasone, and adrenalectomy on the secretion of testosterone in the rat

The effect of ACTH (100 micrograms/animal/day, i.p.), dexamethasone (75 micrograms/animal/day, s.c.), both for three consecutive days, and adrenalectomy, with or without dexamethasone, maintained according to the group, one, two or three days, on the plasmatic testosterone and corticosterone levels, has been studied in adult male Wistar rats. ACTH and adrenalectomy produced a high decrease in testosterone levels (p less than 0.001 for the three days studied). Dexamethasone produced lower testosterone levels in the first day followed by partial recuperation between the second and the third days of its administration. Dexamethasone produced the effects mentioned for intact animals. The changes in corticosterone levels were according to an adequate response of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal system under these experimental circumstances. ACTH exerts an inhibitory effect on testosterone secretion in the rat, so that such an effect from the data obtained after adrenalectomy and simultaneous dexamethasone injections, does not seems to be mediated either by the presence of adrenals or high corticosterone levels.     

The effects of MIF-I, beta-endorphin and alpha-MSH on d-amphetamine induced paradoxical behavioral thermoregulation: possible involvement of the dopaminergic system

The neuropharmacological basis for d-amphetamine induced paradoxical behavioral thermoregulation remains unclear. This study examined thermoregulatory behavior of rats in a runway device that housed a heat source at one end and in which locomotion along the length of the runway could be observed. Sprague Dawley rats were pretreated with IP injections of saline, beta-endorphin, MIF-1, or alpha-MSH, with a repeat injection after 30 min. In a second experiment, d-amphetamine was administered as the repeat drug for all Ss. The results showed clear differences for heat-source-on vs. heat-source off. All peptides induced hypermotility, although no differentiated effects for the peptides on d-amphetamine induced paradoxical behavioral thermoregulation were found. These findings are discussed in light of the theoretical possibilities that: (a) a ceiling effect exists; (b) there are separate control systems for maintaining body temperature and another for behavioral thermoregulatory responses, and (c) other neurotransmitters may be involved in such induced paradoxical behavioral thermoregulation.     

Contrasting effects of Org 2766 and alpha-MSH on social and exploratory behavior in the rat

Intraperitoneal injection of Org 2766 (0.01-0.4 microgram/kg) produced a dose-related increase in the number of social contacts and in the time spent in active social interaction by pairs of male rats tested in arenas with which they were familiar, but had little effect when the rats were tested in unfamiliar arenas. The increased social interaction was not accompanied by any change in motor activity. In contrast, alpha-MSH (20-200 microgram/kg) decreased the time spent in active social dose-related. Both peptides reduced exploratory head-dipping only at high doses (4-8 microgram/kg for Org 2766 and 200 microgram/kg for alpha-MSH); this change was not accompanied by a reduction in motor activity.     

Changes in circadian rhythms of thermoregulation and motor activity in rats as a function of aging: effects of d-amphetamine and alpha-MSH

Thermoregulatory and motor activity circadian cycles are age-dependent. While the level of thermoregulation and motor activity remained almost at the same level during the first 1-15 months during the light portion of the 24-hr cycle, a significant decrease in the level of both rhythms was observed during the dark period. Therefore, older rats exhibited reversed cycles compared with younger rats. Treatments with d-amphetamine resulted in the enhancement of reversal of the cycles. Rats treated with alpha-MSH failed to exhibit a reversal of the cycles. While the effects of d-amphetamine are mediated by the brain DA mesolimbic pathway, it seems that alpha-MSH acts on the dopaminergic system at different sites of action.     

Radioimmunoassay of CRF-like material in rat hypothalamus

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) was recently isolated from ovine hypothalami by its ability to stimulate adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and β-endorphin release from dispersed rat pituitary cells. In order to study the physiology of this peptide, we have developed a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for CRF. Synthetic CRF was conjugated to bovine thyroglobulin and emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant. A suitable antiserum was obtained which showed no crossreactivity with eight naturally occurring peptides. N-Tyr-CRF was iodinated and used as tracer. With this assay, CRF-like immunoreactivity which coeluted with ovine CRF on Sephadex G50 was detected in rat hypothalami.     

Circadian rhythm of corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactivity in rat hypothalamus

Levels of hypothalamic corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactivity (CRF-LI) were measured by radioimmunuoassay (RIA) over a 24 hour light-dark cycle and found to exhibit two peaks. One peak was detected at 1100 hr and a secondary smaller peak was found at 2000 hr. The trough between the two peaks was detected at 1700 hr which coincided with the peak in plasma corticosterone levels. The results are consistent with a decreased level of hypothalamic CRF-LI at 1700 hr reflecting an increased release of peptide followed successively by the release of ACTH and corticosterone.