This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Alexander, M. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Alexander, M. J.

Colocalization of Neurotensin Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) and Progesterone Receptor mRNA in Rat Arcuate Neurons under Estrogen-Stimulated Conditions¹

Department of Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Mark J. Alexander, Department of Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118. E-mail: mjalex{at}bu.edu

In the female rat, estrogen and progesterone directly or indirectly regulate the activity of neurotensin (NT)-synthesizing neurosecretory cells located in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). To determine whether these NT neurons are subject to direct regulation by ovarian steroids, estrogen-inducible messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding nuclear progesterone receptor (PR) was used as a cellular marker for nuclear estrogen receptor (ER) as well as PR, and double label in situ hybridization was employed to determine the extent to which NT/neuromedin N mRNA and PR mRNA are colocalized in ARC neurons under estrogen-stimulated conditions. In estradiol-treated ovariectomized rats, approximately 80% of NT/neuromedin N mRNA-expressing cells in sections through the dorsomedial division of the ARC and approximately 60% of such cells in sections through the ventrolateral division of the ARC were found to contain PR mRNA. Depending on the ARC division and rostrocaudal level, double labeled cells accounted for approximately 20–50% of PR mRNA-containing cells. These results indicate that under estrogen-stimulated conditions the majority of NT neurons in the ARC express both PR and ER, as previous studies of this region indicate that estrogen-inducible PR occurs only in cells that also express ER. In the rat, NT neurons appear to be a major ARC cell type subject to direct regulation by estrogen and progesterone.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. L. Goodman, M. N. Lehman, J. T. Smith, L. M. Coolen, C. V. R. de Oliveira, M. R. Jafarzadehshirazi, A. Pereira, J. Iqbal, A. Caraty, P. Ciofi, et al. Kisspeptin Neurons in the Arcuate Nucleus of the Ewe Express Both Dynorphin A and Neurokinin B Endocrinology, December 1, 2007; 148(12): 5752 - 5760. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Foradori, L. M. Coolen, M. E. Fitzgerald, D. C. Skinner, R. L. Goodman, and M. N. Lehman Colocalization of Progesterone Receptors in Parvicellular Dynorphin Neurons of the Ovine Preoptic Area and Hypothalamus Endocrinology, November 1, 2002; 143(11): 4366 - 4374. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Dufourny and D. C. Skinner Progesterone Receptor, Estrogen Receptor {alpha}, and the Type II Glucocorticoid Receptor Are Coexpressed in the Same Neurons of the Ovine Preoptic Area and Arcuate Nucleus: A Triple Immunolabeling Study Biol Reprod, November 1, 2002; 67(5): 1605 - 1612. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. M. Apostolakis, J. Garai, J. E. Lohmann, J. H. Clark, and B. W. O’Malley Epidermal Growth Factor Activates Reproductive Behavior Independent of Ovarian Steroids in Female Rodents Mol. Endocrinol., July 1, 2000; 14(7): 1086 - 1098. [Abstract] [Full Text]