This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 144/12/5488    most recent Author Manuscript (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart 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 Mountjoy, K. G. Articles by Wild, J. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mountjoy, K. G. Articles by Wild, J. M.

Melanocortin-4 Receptor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression in Rat Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Integumentary Systems

Departments of Physiology (K.G.M., C.-S.J.W.), Molecular Medicine and Pathology (K.G.M.), Anatomy (J.M.W.), and Research Centre for Developmental Medicine & Biology (L.M.D.), University of Auckland, Auckland 1, New Zealand

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Kathleen G. Mountjoy, University of Auckland, Auckland 1, New Zealand. E-mail: kmountjoy{at}auckland.ac.nz.

We determined melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4-R) mRNA ontogeny in the rat using in situ hybridization and a rat MC4-R riboprobe and showed numerous peripheral sites of expression for MC4-R. The developing heart showed MC4-R mRNA expression as early as embryonic day (E) 14. In the lungs of E16–E20 fetuses, the cells surrounding developing bronchi expressed relatively strong in situ signal. Muscles associated with the respiratory system such as diaphragm and intercostal muscle expressed MC4-R mRNA as early as E14. Occipital and tongue muscles, in particular the genioglossus, showed diffuse signal at E15–E20. In the eye, a discrete signal was detected in an outer neuroblastic layer which may correspond to retina or extraocular muscle. Developing limb buds expressed relatively strong signal at E14, whereas skull bone and joint capsules of the paw of the forelimb showed signal at E18–E20. Using RT-PCR and ribonuclease protection assays, we determined that MC4-R mRNA is also expressed in adult rat heart, lung, kidney, and testis. The expression of the MC4-R in cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and integumentary systems supports functional roles for the MC4-R in addition to its roles in appetite, weight control, and regulation of linear growth.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. P. Skibicka and H. J. Grill Energetic Responses Are Triggered by Caudal Brainstem Melanocortin Receptor Stimulation and Mediated by Local Sympathetic Effector Circuits Endocrinology, July 1, 2008; 149(7): 3605 - 3616. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. L. Wolff, J. S. Stanley, M. E. Ferguson, P. M. Simpson, M. J. J. Ronis, and T. M. Badger A BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Agouti Signaling Protein Stimulates Cell Division in "Viable Yellow" (Avy/a) Mouse Liver Experimental Biology and Medicine, November 1, 2007; 232(10): 1326 - 1329. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C.-S. J. Wu, D. R. Greenwood, J. M. Cooney, D. J. Jensen, M. A. Tatnell, G. J. S. Cooper, and K. G. Mountjoy Peripherally administered desacetyl {alpha}-MSH and {alpha}-MSH both influence postnatal rat growth and associated rat hypothalamic protein expression Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, December 1, 2006; 291(6): E1372 - E1380. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. M. Williams and K. B. Donnelly Gastric Mucosal Damage Following Repeat Administration of Melanocortin Subtype-4 Receptor Ligands to Fischer 344 Rats Toxicol Pathol, October 1, 2006; 34(6): 738 - 743. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Hen, S. Yosefi, V. Simchaev, D. Shinder, V. J Hruby, and M. Friedman-Einat The melanocortin circuit in obese and lean strains of chicks. J. Endocrinol., August 1, 2006; 190(2): 527 - 535. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Giuliani, C. Mioni, D. Altavilla, S. Leone, C. Bazzani, L. Minutoli, A. Bitto, M.-M. Cainazzo, H. Marini, D. Zaffe, et al. Both Early and Delayed Treatment with Melanocortin 4 Receptor-Stimulating Melanocortins Produces Neuroprotection in Cerebral Ischemia Endocrinology, March 1, 2006; 147(3): 1126 - 1135. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Pan, A. J. Kastin, Y. Yu, C. M. Cain, T. Fairburn, A. M. Stutz, C. Morrison, and G. Argyropoulos Selective Tissue Uptake of Agouti-Related Protein(82-131) and Its Modulation by Fasting Endocrinology, December 1, 2005; 146(12): 5533 - 5539. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Bohm, M. Eickelmann, Z. Li, S. W. Schneider, V. Oji, S. Diederichs, G. S. Barsh, A. Vogt, K. Stieler, U. Blume-Peytavi, et al. Detection of Functionally Active Melanocortin Receptors and Evidence for an Immunoregulatory Activity of {alpha}-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone in Human Dermal Papilla Cells Endocrinology, November 1, 2005; 146(11): 4635 - 4646. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. S. Tallam, D. E. Stec, M. A. Willis, A. A. da Silva, and J. E. Hall Melanocortin-4 Receptor-Deficient Mice Are Not Hypertensive or Salt-Sensitive Despite Obesity, Hyperinsulinemia, and Hyperleptinemia Hypertension, August 1, 2005; 46(2): 326 - 332. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]