Project description:Microarrays were used to examine gene expression changes between two hypothalamic cell lines derived from adult and embryonic tissues. Both cell lines endogenously express the protein Npy (neuropeptide y) which is involved in feeding and reproductive processes. Results identify novel gene candidates that are implicated in the development of hypothalamic sub-poplulations. Immortalized hypothalamic cell lines were created by overexpression of SV40 T-antigen from tissue sources derived from both embryonic and adult mice. Triplicate plates of each cell line were grown to 70% confluence and RNA was harvested for microarray analysis.
Project description:Microarrays were used to examine gene expression changes between two hypothalamic cell lines derived from adult and embryonic tissues. Both cell lines endogenously express the protein Npy (neuropeptide y) which is involved in feeding and reproductive processes. Results identify novel gene candidates that are implicated in the development of hypothalamic sub-poplulations.
Project description:Anorexia is a common symptom among cancer patients and contributes to malnutrition and insufficient food intake. In cancer-induced anorexia, food intake regulation in the hypothalamus appears to be impaired. A negative energy balance persists and accelerates muscle wasting and malnutrition. Moreover, it strongly affects mortality and survival in these patients. Here, we show that the neuropeptide Y system (NPY) appears to fail to respond adequately to changes in energy balance during cancer cachexia. In addition, we investigate the connection between serotonin and NPY release in hypothalamic cell lines. Hypothalamic neuronal cells mHypoE-46 (serotonin sensitive cells) and mHypoA-2/12 (serotonin unresponsive cells) were used to study the effect of serotonin on messenger NPY expression and NPY excretion.
Project description:PURPOSE: To provide a detailed gene expression profile of the normal postnatal mouse cornea. METHODS: Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was performed on postnatal day (PN)9 and adult mouse (6 week) total corneas. The expression of selected genes was analyzed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: A total of 64,272 PN9 and 62,206 adult tags were sequenced. Mouse corneal transcriptomes are composed of at least 19,544 and 18,509 unique mRNAs, respectively. One third of the unique tags were expressed at both stages, whereas a third was identified exclusively in PN9 or adult corneas. Three hundred thirty-four PN9 and 339 adult tags were enriched more than fivefold over other published nonocular libraries. Abundant transcripts were associated with metabolic functions, redox activities, and barrier integrity. Three members of the Ly-6/uPAR family whose functions are unknown in the cornea constitute more than 1% of the total mRNA. Aquaporin 5, epithelial membrane protein and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) omega-1, and GST alpha-4 mRNAs were preferentially expressed in distinct corneal epithelial layers, providing new markers for stratification. More than 200 tags were differentially expressed, of which 25 mediate transcription. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to providing a detailed profile of expressed genes in the PN9 and mature mouse cornea, the present SAGE data demonstrate dynamic changes in gene expression after eye opening and provide new probes for exploring corneal epithelial cell stratification, development, and function and for exploring the intricate relationship between programmed and environmentally induced gene expression in the cornea. Keywords: other
