alpha-2-Adrenergic activation of proopiomelanocortin-containing neurons in the arcuate nucleus causes opioid-mediated hypotension and bradycardia.

Treatment of rats for 4 days with alpha-methyldopa, 200 mg/kg/day i.p., increases steady state levels of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA in the mediobasal hypothalamus, as measured by DNA excess solution hybridization.

Human transforming growth factor alpha: sequence analysis of the 4.5-kb and 1.6-kb mRNA species.

Two transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) mRNA species with the apparent sizes of 4.5 and 1.6 kb were identified in all human cell lines analysed.

Mammary epithelial cells of lactating rats express prolactin messenger ribonucleic acid.

The presence of prolactin (PRL) mRNA in the mammary gland, placenta, and pituitary gland of lactating and pregnant rats was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Polyadenylated RNA was prepared from total RNA samples by oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography, and complementary cDNAs were synthesized. A standardized amount of cDNA from each sample was used as the template in a Taq PCR under high-stringency conditions.

Sequence of a cDNA encoding bovine apolipoprotein H.

The nucleotide sequence of the ApoH cDNA encoding the bovine apolipoprotein H (ApoH) has been determined. The deduced protein, which contains a 19-amino-acid (aa) signal peptide and the 326-aa mature ApoH, shows 89% and 86% homology with human and rat ApoH, respectively.

Proopiomelanocortin messenger RNA is decreased in the mediobasal hypothalamus of rats made dependent on ethanol.

It is thought that certain actions of ethanol involve an interaction with endogenous opioids, including proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides such as beta-endorphin. To examine this possibility, we used a sensitive and specific assay for proopiomelanocortin mRNA to obtain an estimate of the activity of the endorphinergic system in the mediobasal hypothalamus and the pituitary of rats exposed for 10 days in an inhalation chamber to either ethanol or water. This protocol causes dependence in the ethanol-exposed group, as demonstrated by the presence of withdrawal seizures after cessation of treatment.