Open AccessSomatic nonhomologous crossing-over between neuropeptide genes in rat hypothalamic neurons.
Author(s) -
Evita Mohr,
Anke Peters,
John F. Morris,
Dietmar Richter
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.91.24.11403
Subject(s) - biology , complementary dna , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , endoplasmic reticulum , oxytocin , neuropeptide , cloning (programming) , somatic cell , messenger rna , genetics , endocrinology , receptor , computer science , programming language
Molecular biological and immunocytochemical data demonstrate nonhomologous crossing-over between the closely linked vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) genes in rat hypothalamic neuroendocrine neurons. Reverse transcription of hypothalamic total RNA from wild-type or homozygous Brattleboro aged rats combined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications in the presence of appropriate 5' forward and 3' reverse primers deduced from the VP and OT cDNA sequences yielded PCR products that, upon cloning and sequencing, revealed several hybrid transcripts. They encode the N-terminal part of the VP precursor fused to the C-terminal part of the OT precursor (VP/OT transcripts) and vice versa (OT/VP transcripts). VP/OT hybrid precursor proteins have been identified immunocytochemically in enlarged cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, yet there is no evidence that the products can be secreted from affected cells. Recombination appears to be a rather frequent genetic event affecting about 0.06-0.1% of the rat vasopressinergic magnocellular neurons in aged rats.