The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is considered a pleiotropic neuropeptide in vertebrate physiology. The nucleotide sequence, the expression and the distribution of PACAP were determined in the brain of the lizard Podarcis sicula. RT-PCR showed that the brain of this reptile synthesizes an mRNA coding for PACAP. By performing in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry techniques, a wide distribution of PACAP and its mRNA in neurons, nervous fibers and other cells was found. Phylogenetic sequence analysis indicates that lizard PACAP is highly conserved, resembling the vertebrate PACAP. Our data demonstrate that PACAP is not only highly preserved during vertebrate evolution but also suggest that PACAP could be implicated in a wide number of functions in the physiology of the reptile brain.
Molecular characterization and gene expression of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the lizard brain / Valiante, Salvatore; Prisco, Marina; Capaldo, Anna; Zambrano, I.; DE FALCO, Maria; Andreuccetti, Piero; Laforgia, Vincenza; Varano, Lorenzo. - In: BRAIN RESEARCH. - ISSN 0006-8993. - STAMPA. - 1127:1,5(2007), pp. 66-75. [10.1016/j.brainres.2006.09.103]
Molecular characterization and gene expression of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the lizard brain
VALIANTE, Salvatore;PRISCO, MARINA;CAPALDO, ANNA;DE FALCO, MARIA;ANDREUCCETTI, PIERO;LAFORGIA, VINCENZA;VARANO, LORENZO
2007
Abstract
The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is considered a pleiotropic neuropeptide in vertebrate physiology. The nucleotide sequence, the expression and the distribution of PACAP were determined in the brain of the lizard Podarcis sicula. RT-PCR showed that the brain of this reptile synthesizes an mRNA coding for PACAP. By performing in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry techniques, a wide distribution of PACAP and its mRNA in neurons, nervous fibers and other cells was found. Phylogenetic sequence analysis indicates that lizard PACAP is highly conserved, resembling the vertebrate PACAP. Our data demonstrate that PACAP is not only highly preserved during vertebrate evolution but also suggest that PACAP could be implicated in a wide number of functions in the physiology of the reptile brain.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.