Concurrent changes in photoperiod-induced seasonal phenotypes and hypothalamic CART peptide-containing systems in night-migratory redheaded buntings

We hypothesised that cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CARTPT) would be differentially expressed in ewes with differing ovulation rates. Expression of mRNA forCARTPT, as well asLHCGR,FSHR,CYP19A1andCYP17A1was determined in antral follicles ≥1 mm in diameter collected during the follicular phase in ewes heterozygous for the Booroola and Inverdale genes (I+B+; average ovulation rate 4) and ++ contemporaries (++; average ovulation rate 1.8). In ++ ewes (n = 6),CARTPTwas expressed in small follicles (1 to <3 mm diameter), where 18.8 ± 2.5% follicles expressedCARTPT. CART peptide was also detected in follicular fluid of some follicles of ++ ewes. In I+B+ ewes, 5/6 ewes did not have any follicles that expressedCARTPT, and no CART peptide was detected in any follicle examined. Expression pattern ofCYP19A1differed between I+B+ and ++ ewes with an increased percentage of small and medium follicles (3 to <4.5 mm diameter) but decreased percentage of large follicles (≥4.5 mm diameter) expressingCYP19A1in the I+B+ ewes. Many of the large follicles from the I+B+ ewes appeared non-functional and expression ofLHCGR,FSHR,CYP17A1andCYP19A1was less than that observed in ++ ewes. Expression ofFSHRandCYP17A1was not different between groups in small and medium follicles, butLHCGRexpression was approximately double in I+B+ ewes compared to that in ++ ewes. Thus, ewes with high ovulation rates had a distinct pattern of expression ofCARTPTmRNA and protein compared to ewes with normal ovulation rates, providing evidence for CART being important in the regulation of ovulation rate.

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CART Peptide Induces Neuroregeneration in Stroke Rats

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism ◽

10.1038/jcbfm.2012.172 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 300-310 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Yu Luo ◽

Hui Shen ◽

Hua-Shan Liu ◽

Seong-Jin Yu ◽

David J Reiner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Neural Progenitor Cell ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Nuclear Antigen ◽

Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Behavioral Recovery ◽

Bdnf Mrna ◽

Adult Rats ◽

Injured Brain ◽

Cart Peptide

Utilizing a classic stroke model in rodents, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo), we describe a novel neuroregenerative approach using the repeated intranasal administration of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide starting from day 3 poststroke for enhancing the functional recovery of injured brain. Adult rats were separated into two groups with similar infarction sizes, measured by magnetic resonance imaging on day 2 after MCAo, and were treated with CART or vehicle. The CART treatment increased CART level in the brain, improved behavioral recovery, and reduced neurological scores. In the subventricular zone (SVZ), CART enhanced immunolabeling of bromodeoxyuridine, a neural progenitor cell marker Musashi-1, and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen, as well as upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA. AAV–GFP was locally applied to the SVZ to examine migration of SVZ cells. The CART enhanced migration of GFP(+) cells from SVZ toward the ischemic cortex. In SVZ culture, CART increased the size of neurospheres. The CART-mediated cell migration from SVZ explants was reduced by anti-BDNF blocking antibody. Using 1H-MRS (proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy), increases in N-acetylaspartate levels were found in the lesioned cortex after CART treatment in stroke brain. Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript increased the expression of GAP43 and fluoro-ruby fluorescence in the lesioned cortex. In conclusion, our data suggest that intranasal CART treatment facilitates neuroregeneration in stroke brain.

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