Localization of metallothionein I-II immunoreactivity in bovine pituitary gland.
Life Sci
; 70(6): 659-67, 2001 Dec 28.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11833716
ABSTRACT
Metallothioneins belong to a family of shock proteins characterized by an unusual high content of cystein, absence of aromatic amino acids and high metal content (Zinc and Copper). Metallothioneins are ubiquitously present in a large variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic species as well as in all mammalian organs and tissues examined thus far. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report describing the presence of metallothioneins in the pituitary gland. Metallothioneins were identified immunohistochemically and chromatographically both in the neuro and adenohypophysis of the bovine pituitary gland. Metallothioneins are highly expressed in the neurohypophyseal glial cells, and in a subpopulation of folliculo-stellate cells located in the pars intermedia of the adenohypophysis. While the specific role of these proteins in the pituitary gland remains to be established, we hypothesize that, besides their protective action against free radicals, hypophyseal metallothioneins might be involved in the regulation of metal ion homeostasis with putative implication in release of hypothalamic peptide hormones in the neurohypophysis and synthesis/release of alpha-MSH by POMC-cells located in the pars intermedia of the adenohypophysis.
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Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Adenohipófisis
/
Neurohipófisis
/
Metalotioneína
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Año:
2001
Tipo del documento:
Article