Open AccessLeptin Gene Expression in the Brain and Pituitary Gland
Author(s) -
Barbara Morash,
Audrey Li,
Paul R. Murphy,
Michael Wilkinson,
Ehud Ur
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.674
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1945-7170
pISSN - 0013-7227
DOI - 10.1210/endo.140.12.7288
Subject(s) - leptin , medicine , leptin receptor , endocrinology , hypothalamus , adipose tissue , biology , pituitary gland , central nervous system , adipocyte , immunocytochemistry , receptor , northern blot , appetite , gene expression , hormone , gene , obesity , biochemistry
The adipocyte-derived hormone, leptin, and its receptor, are now known to be integral components of a physiological signalling system that regulates fuel stores and energy balance. Constitutive leptin expression has been demonstrated only in adipose tissue, placenta and stomach. We have used RT-PCR to show that leptin mRNA is selectively transcribed in specific areas of rat brain and pituitary, and in a rat glioblastoma cell line. Using immunocytochemistry we have also shown leptin protein immunoreactivity in the corresponding tissues and cells, and confirmed this by Western blot using two epitope-specific antisera. Leptin mRNA expression in the hypothalamus is suppressed by fasting (48hr), suggesting a role for brain leptin in the central regulation of appetite. These data support the hypothesis that central nervous system derived leptin is a likely ligand for central leptin receptors.