RESUMO
Peg10 (paternally expressed 10) is a retrotransposon-derived gene that is highly conserved across mammalian species. Peg10 is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, and is essential for placenta formation in mice. Although a number of studies have examined Peg10 expression in the placenta, its cellular localization in the brain is still unclear. The function of Peg10 in the brain is also unknown. Here, we examined Peg10 distribution in the mouse brain. In situ hybridization revealed intense expression of the gene in the core region of the accumbens nucleus, lateral division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, medial preoptic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, arcuate nucleus, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, premammillary nucleus, central amygdaloid nucleus and lateral parabrachial nucleus. Moderate to intense expression of Peg10 was also observed in monoaminergic nuclei such as the substantia nigra, dorsal raphe nucleus and locus coeruleus. These results suggest that Peg10 may play a role in motivational processes, emotional regulation, and autonomic functions in the brain. The findings also suggest that Peg10 may have contributed to the evolution of mammals, not only by participating in placenta formation, but also by regulating parental behavior and hormonal secretions necessary for maternal responsiveness
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