Proenkephalin gene regulation in the neuroendocrine hypothalamus: a
model of gene regulation in the cns.
Borsook, David, and Steven E. Hyman.
Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience Departments
of Anesthesia, Neurology, and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA 02114
APStracts 2:0100E, 1995.
During the past decade a great deal of progress has been made in
studying the mechanisms by which transcription of neuropeptides is
regulated by second messengers and neural activity. Such
investigations, which have depended to a great extent on the use of
transformed cell lines, are far from complete. Yet a major challenge
for the coming decade is to understand the regulation of neuroeptide
genes by physiologically and pharmacologically relevant stimuli in
appropriate cell types in vivo. The proenkephalin gene, a member of
the opioid gene family, has served as a model to study regulated
transcription, not only in cell lines, but also in central (e.g.
hypothalamic) and peripheral (e.g. adrenal) neuroendocrine tissues.
Here we review regulation of proenkephalin gene expression in the
hypothalamus. Several approaches, including in situ hybridization,
use of transgenic mice, and the adaptation of electrophoretic
mobility shift assays to complex tissues have played critical roles
in recent advances. A summary of possible future developments in this
field of research is also presented.
Received 22 July 1994; accepted in final form 19 April 1995.
APS Manuscript Number E282-4.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Endocrinol. Metab.).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 16 May 1995.