Vol. 280, Issue 5, C1038-C1044, May 2001
Evaluation of ovarian POMC mRNA through
quantitative RT-PCR analysis in Rana
esculenta
M.
Nabissi1,
L.
Soverchia1,
I.
Lihrmann2,
H.
Vaudry2,
G.
Mosconi1, and
A. M.
Polzonetti-Magni1
1 Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologiche e Biochimiche
Comparate, Universita' degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino,
Italia; and 2 Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular
Endocrinology, European Institute for Peptide Research, Institut
National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
U413, UA CNRS, University of Rouen, France
The evaluation of changes
in the expression of specific genes requires accurate measurement of
the corresponding mRNA concentration, especially when the gene is
expressed at a very low level. We previously showed that the
proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene is expressed in the ovary of the frog
Rana esculenta, and, to evaluate its mRNA content in frog
ovary, we have now developed a sensitive quantitative RT-PCR method.
This study provides evidence for the validation of this method and for
the effects of captivity and hypophysectomy on POMC gene expression in
the ovary of this anuran. Our data indicate that ovarian POMC gene is
involved in short-term captivity stress response and seems not
influenced by pituitary. These results are discussed taking into
account the knowledge of the role played by opioids in stress response;
moreover, a local control of POMC gene expression is also suggested.
frog; ovary; proopiomelanocortin gene expression; captivity; hypophysectomy
