Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P01178 (oxytocin)
 15,767 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The purpose of this study was to compare the control of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticosterone secretion in homozygous Brattleboro rats with their syngeneic controls, Long-Evans rats, and with rats of the Wistar strain. Plasma concentrations of ACTH and corticosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay in trunk blood, and corticotropin-releasing factor 41 (CRF-41), arginine vasopressin (AVP), and oxytocin were assayed in hypophysial portal vessel blood. Portal plasma was extracted with methanol for CRF-41 determination, and four different antisera and several different high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems were used to investigate AVP release. The peripheral plasma concentrations of ACTH and corticosterone were significantly higher in Long-Evans and homozygous Brattleboro than in Wistar rats. This difference was due, at least in part, to an approximately twofold greater release of CRF-41 into hypophysial portal blood of the Long-Evans and Brattleboro compared with Wistar rats. There was no significant difference between the strains in the output of oxytocin into portal blood. While no AVP could be detected in the neural lobe of homozygous Brattleboro rats, a small amount of AVP-like immunoreactivity was detected in unextracted hypophysial portal blood from homozygous Brattleboro rats. However, this AVP-like immunoreactivity was clearly distinct from authentic AVP in several HPLC systems, had no antidiuretic activity, and on gel filtration had a relative molecular mass greater than 5 kD. In contrast, the AVP-like immunoreactivity in hypophysial portal blood from Long-Evans rats co-eluted with authentic AVP in all HPLC systems tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Comparison of adrenocorticotropin control in Brattleboro, Long-Evans, and Wistar rats. Measurement of corticotropin-releasing factor, arginine vasopressin, and oxytocin in hypophysial portal blood. 285 6

The anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPv), which lies in the periventricular zone of the preoptic region, is critical for normal phasic gonadotropin secretion since lesions of this nucleus abolish the progesterone-induced surge of luteinizing hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary, block ovulation, and induce persistent vaginal estrus in female rats. However, very little is known about the neurotransmitter-specific pathways associated with this nucleus. In the present study we evaluated the distribution of biochemically specific cells and fibers within the AVPv and adjacent regions by using an indirect immunohistochemical method with antisera to serotonin (5-HT), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), neuropeptide Y (NPY), cholecystokinin-8 (CCK), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), substance P (SP), neurotensin (NT), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), luteotropin-releasing hormone (LRH), somatostatin (SS), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), oxytocin (OXY), vasopressin (VAS), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH1-24), alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), leucine-enkephalin (L-ENK), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Our findings indicate that both cells and fibers containing these putative neurotransmitters are differentially distributed in and around the AVPv in accordance with the cytoarchitectonic organization of this part of the preoptic region. The AVPv itself appears to receive strong inputs from SP-, VAS-, CCK-, and SS-containing pathways, whereas the highest densities of L-ENK-, NT-, 5-HT-, NPY-, and DBH-immunoreactive fibers were found in the cell-sparse zone just lateral to the AVPv. The suprachiasmatic preoptic nucleus (PSCh), a small group of cells located ventral to the AVPv just dorsal to the optic chiasm, contained high densities of alpha-MSH- and ACTH-immunoreactive fibers, as well as substantial numbers of fibers containing catecholamines or NPY. In contrast, a dense plexus of VAS-stained fibers was distributed fairly evenly throughout the AVPv and PSCh. Numerous L-ENK-immunoreactive cell bodies, and moderate numbers of CCK-, NT-, and CRF-stained cell bodies were found in the AVPv. The PSCh contained many TH-stained cells (presumably dopaminergic), in addition to a moderate number of CCK-containing cell bodies, while a high density of NT- and CRF-stained cells were found in the cell-sparse zone lateral to the AVPv, in addition to several CCK-, SP-, VIP-, and TH-containing cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:The distribution of neurotransmitter-specific cells and fibers in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus: implications for the control of gonadotropin secretion in the rat. 288 Jun 34

1. We have reviewed recent studies in which in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH) was used to investigate the regulation of expression of neurohypophysial peptides and hypothalamic releasing hormones. 2. ISHH is a technique in which the presence and quantity of a specific mRNA can be determined in tissue sections with a high degree of resolution and sensitivity. 3. ISHH has been used to measure changes in cellular levels of mRNAs encoding vasopressin, oxytocin, corticotropin-releasing factor, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and somatostatin in response to various physiological challenges. 4. A theme emerging from these studies is that changes in levels of mRNA encoding neuroendocrine peptides reflect changes in biosynthesis and secretion.
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PMID:Neuroendocrine gene expression in the hypothalamus: in situ hybridization histochemical studies. 289 79

To investigate catecholamine regulation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and vasopressin (VP) release, the relationship of alpha-adrenergic receptor-binding sites to corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and VP-containing cell populations within the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus was studied. Immunohistochemistry for CRF and neurophysin-vasopressin (NP-VP) was combined with receptor autoradiography. The adrenergic antagonist [3H]-prazosin was used to visualize alpha-1-binding sites and the agonist [3H]-p-aminoclonidine to visualize alpha-2-binding sites. To determine if changes in adrenergic binding accompanied experimentally induced increased activity of CRF- and VP-containing neurons, adrenalectomy was used as a stimulus for CRF release and dehydration as a stimulus for VP release. Quantitative assessment of autoradiograms revealed a greater density of alpha-1- and alpha-2-binding sites over the medial, parvocellular, CRF-containing region of PVN as compared to the lateral, magnocellular, NP-VP-containing region of the nucleus in all animal groups. Following 10 days of dehydration, the density of alpha-1- and alpha-2-binding sites associated with the CRF- and NP-VP-containing regions of PVN decreased. At 14 days postadrenalectomy the density of alpha-2-binding sites associated with CRF- and NP-VP-containing regions of the nucleus decreased, but the density of alpha-1-binding sites was unchanged. Results of this study support the hypothesis that epinephrine and/or norepinephrine regulate the release of ACTH and vasopressin via alpha-1- and alpha-2-adrenergic receptors associated with CRF- and VP-containing somata within the PVN.
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PMID:Relationship of alpha-1- and alpha-2-adrenergic-binding sites to regions of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus containing corticotropin-releasing factor and vasopressin neurons. 289 48

Using immunohistochemistry, well-preserved neuronal cell bodies and fibres containing neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, and cholecystokinin immunoreactivity have been identified in all seven supratentorial anaplastic astrocytomas studied. These neurones have been shown not only on the edge but also in the depth of the neoplastic tissue. These neuropeptides were not present in 18 other intracranial tumours (3 astrocytomas, 1 subependymoma, 8 glioblastoma multiformes, 1 meningioma, and 5 metastases). In all 25 intracranial tumours studied, no immunoreactivity was found for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, methionine-enkephalin, leucine-enkephalin, synenkephalin, neurophysin I-II, and corticotropin releasing factor.
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PMID:Neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, and cholecystokinin neurone preservation in anaplastic astrocytomas. 290 6

Two cases of hypothalamic hamartoma are presented. The first patient was a 4-year-old boy with precocious puberty, and the second was a 6-year-old boy with epileptic seizures. In both patients, clinical symptoms and signs appeared at the age of 2 years and progressed thereafter. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in both cases disclosed a suprasellar mass lesion in continuity with the hypothalamus. Removal of the lesions affected the endocrinological status and/or seizure control. Pathological examination revealed the lesions to be composed of well-differentiated neuronal and glial cells. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated the presence of beta-endorphin, corticotropin-releasing factor, oxytocin, and neurofilament protein (210 kD) in the neuronal cells of the first patient, but no neuropeptides were detected in the second. Electron microscopic examination on the second patient disclosed the presence of many nonmyelinated and some myelinated neuronal processes containing dense-core and clear vesicles. The morphological characteristics and the role of surgery for this lesion are discussed.
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PMID:Hypothalamic hamartoma. Report of two cases. 292 5

Suspensions of rat anterior pituitary cells were exposed to corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) (5 nM) and various neurohormones (0.002-1000 nM). CRF-induced secretion of ACTH was doubled by 0.1 nM arginine vasopressin (AVP), 0.2 nM arginine vasotocin, 1 nM oxytocin, 10 nM angiotensin II, and 100 nM noradrenalin; vasoactive intestinal peptide had no effect at 0.2-200 nM. CRF potentiation by AVP was also observed at lower concentrations of CRF. Since AVP appeared to be the most potent modulator of CRF-induced ACTH secretion, potentiation was further tested with specific antidiuretic and oxytocic agonists. Potentiation was clearly related to pressor biological activity, less so to antidiuretic, and hardly at all to oxytocic activities. However, even at 200 nM, the antipressor antagonists dPTyr(Me)AVP and d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP had no effect on potentiation by AVP. The lack of antagonism was partly due to the agonistic effects of the antagonists on the pituitary gland, an effect not observed within vascular tissue. The results thus suggest that anterior pituitary vasopressin receptors resemble, but are not identical to, V1 (pressor and hepatic), do not resemble the V2 (renal), and might be classified as V3 (pituitary) receptors.
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PMID:A novel type of vasopressin receptor on anterior pituitary corticotrophs? 298 63

We have examined the contributions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), arginine vasopressin (AVP), epinephrine, and oxytocin to the ACTH secretory responses to hemorrhage. The relative significance of each of these putative ACTH regulatory factors is undefined with respect to net ACTH secretion. Initially, the effects of selective systemic pharmacological blockade of individual factors on the ACTH response were examined. Immunoneutralization of CRF reduced resting ACTH levels below the detection limits of our RIA and abolished the secretory response to hemorrhage. Ganglionic blockade or treatment with a potent AVP antagonist reduced the ACTH secretory response by 55% and 38%, respectively. Further evidence for multifactor regulation of hemodynamically evoked alterations in ACTH secretion was obtained by measurement of the concentrations of these factors in the hypophysial portal circulation during hemorrhage. Immunoreactive CRF, AVP, oxytocin and epinephrine were present in the portal plasma at concentrations within a range shown to evoke ACTH secretion from cultured pituitary cells when presented alone or in combination. The concentrations of all of these were significantly elevated during hemorrhage. During atrial pulsation, a stimulus mimicking volume loading and associated with a reduction of systemic ACTH levels, we observed a significant decline in portal concentrations of immunoreactive AVP coupled with a nonsignificant trend toward reduced portal immunoreactive CRF levels. These observations are highly suggestive of multifactor regulatory control of ACTH secretion in response to hemodynamic stimuli.
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PMID:Evidence for multifactor regulation of the adrenocorticotropin secretory response to hemodynamic stimuli. 298 71

Specificity of binding of 3H-labeled arginine vasopressin [( 3H]AVP), down-regulation of receptors, and desensitization were studied in anterior pituitary glands of both Wistar and Brattleboro rats. Studies using both crude membrane fractions and isolated cells of anterior pituitaries revealed the presence of a single population of binding sites with a Kd of approximately 1 nM. The receptor recognized the following peptides, with AVP = lysine vasopressin = vasotocin greater than oxytocin = 1-deamino-(8-D-AVP) greater than d-(CH2)5-Tyr-(Me)-Val4-AVP greater than 1-deaminopenicillamine-(Val4-D-Arg8)VP. Neither corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) nor any of the neuropeptides tested, including AVP ring and tail fragments, competed for tracer binding. Increased extracellular vasopressin levels due to chronic injections or long term adrenalectomy decreased receptor density by 80%, while oxytocin was less effective than AVP. Comparing binding data in Brattleboro homozygotes and heterozygotes revealed that AVP levels within the physiological range could down-regulate pituitary receptors as well. This could not be caused by occupation of sites by endogeneous vasopressin, since injection of large doses of peptide decreased tracer binding by less than 10%. Loss of pituitary receptors reduced 1) enhancement by AVP of CRF-induced cAMP accumulation, 2) intrinsic CRF-like activity and 3) synergistic effect of AVP on ACTH secretion elicited by CRF. This study thus provides evidence for the presence of highly specific vasopressin receptors in the anterior pituitary, which may undergo homologous down-regulation and desensitization in terms of cAMP production and ACTH release.
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PMID:Specific receptors for vasopressin in the pituitary gland: evidence for down-regulation and desensitization to adrenocorticotropin-releasing factors. 298 73

To investigate the mechanism by which ACTH secretion is inhibited during hypothermia, hypophysial portal blood was collected from euthermic and hypothermic rats, and the concentrations of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), vasopressin (AVP), and oxytocin (OT) were measured by RIA. Whereas CRF levels in portal plasma were not different in the two groups, AVP and OT levels were significantly lower in hypothermic rats. The concentration of AVP and OT in peripheral plasma was also significantly lower in hypothermic rats compared with euthermic controls. The pituitary responsiveness to CRF during hypothermia was tested in vivo and in vitro. In pentobarbital-anesthetized male rats injected iv with 0.1 or 1.0 nmol CRF, the ACTH response was significantly smaller in hypothermic compared with euthermic animals. However, hemipituitaries superfused at 31 C released the same amount of ACTH in response to 1 nM CRF as hemipituitaries superfused at 37 C (31 C, 541 +/- 90 pg; 37 C, 563 +/- 29 pg) despite reduced baseline secretion (31 C, 77 +/- 10 pg/10 min; 37 C, 114 +/- 14 pg/10 min; P less than 0.05). The data suggest that the inhibition of ACTH secretion during hypothermia is mediated by decreased hypothalamic secretion of AVP and OT which in turn decreases the pituitary responsiveness to CRF.
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PMID:Inhibition of corticotropin release during hypothermia: the role of corticotropin-releasing factor, vasopressin, and oxytocin. 298 77


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