Masini M A, Sturla M, Gallinelli A, Candiani S, Facchinetti F, Pestarino M
Istituto di Anatomia Comparata, Università di Genova, Italy.
Peptides. 1998;19(7):1177-81. doi: 10.1016/s0196-9781(98)00059-x.
The distribution of neurones expressing POMC mRNA in the cerebral ganglion of the protochordate ascidian, Styela plicata, was investigated using a non-radioactive in situ hybridization technique. Nerve cell bodies of mono and bipolar types expressing POMC mRNA, were observed mainly in the outer layer of the ganglion. Discrete groups of neurones containing POMC mRNA were also localized in the inner portion of the ganglion, and few small monopolar perykaria expressing POMC mRNA were visible at the emergence of the main nerve trunks. POMC mRNA labeling was also found at level of the cytoplasm of previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes, and of follicular cells. Our results demonstrate the expression of one or more genes in the cerebral ganglion and ovary, that may be similar to one or more regions of the mammalian POMC gene. Therefore POMC-related molecules seem to be involved in neuromodulatory pathways and regulatory mechanisms of the oogenesis of ascidians.
利用非放射性原位杂交技术，研究了原索动物海鞘皱瘤海鞘脑节中表达阿黑皮素原（POMC）mRNA的神经元分布。表达POMC mRNA的单极和双极型神经细胞体主要见于神经节外层。含POMC mRNA的离散神经元群也定位于神经节内部，在主要神经干发出处可见少数表达POMC mRNA的小型单极周核。在卵黄发生前和卵黄发生期的卵母细胞以及滤泡细胞的细胞质水平也发现了POMC mRNA标记。我们的结果表明，在脑节和卵巢中一个或多个基因的表达可能与哺乳动物POMC基因的一个或多个区域相似。因此，POMC相关分子似乎参与了海鞘的神经调节途径和卵子发生的调节机制。
