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Anatomical distribution and biochemical characterization of the novel RFamide peptide 26RFa in the human hypothalamus and spinal cord
Author(s) -
Bruzzone Federica,
Lectez Benoît,
Tollemer Hélène,
Leprince Jérôme,
Dujardin Cynthia,
Rachidi Walid,
Chatenet David,
Baroncini Marc,
Beauvillain JeanClaude,
Vallarino Mauro,
Vaudry Hubert,
Chartrel Nicolas
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04090.x
Subject(s) - spinal cord , hypothalamus , biology , neuroscience , central nervous system , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry
26RFa is a novel RFamide peptide originally isolated in the amphibian brain. The 26RFa precursor has been subsequently characterized in various mammalian species but, until now, the anatomical distribution and the molecular forms of 26RFa produced in the CNS of mammals, in particular in human, are unknown. In the present study, we have investigated the localization and the biochemical characteristics of 26RFa‐like immunoreactivity (LI) in two regions of the human CNS – the hypothalamus and the spinal cord. Immunohistochemical labeling using specific antibodies against human 26RFa and in situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that in the human hypothalamus 26RFa‐expressing neurons are located in the paraventricular and ventromedial nuclei. In the spinal cord, 26RFa‐expressing neurons were observed in the dorsal and lateral horns. Characterization of 26RFa‐related peptides showed that two distinct molecular forms of 26RFa are present in the human hypothalamus and spinal cord, i.e. 26RFa and an N‐terminally elongated form of 43 amino acids designated 43RFa. These data provide the first evidence that 26RFa and 43RFa are actually produced in the human CNS. The distribution of 26RF‐LI suggests that 26RFa and/or 43RFa may modulate feeding, sexual behavior and transmission of nociceptive stimuli.