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M Chretien

Publications and source records attributed to M Chretien.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Ultrastructural investigation of ACTH immunoreactivity in arcuate and supraoptic nuclei of the rat.

Fine structural localization of an ACTH-like substance was obtained in neurons of the rat arcuate nucleus using immuno-electron microscopy, whereas it could not be confirmed that ACTH-containing cell bodies are present in the supraoptic nucleus. The immunoreactive cells of the arcuate nucleus appeared to be more numerous than the unreactive neurons. Immunostaining was carried out before embedding in resin. Empty vesicles of irregular shape were found in dendrites of immunoreactive arcuate neurons, but their significance and nature remain enigmatic. The reaction product was distributed uniformly throughout the cytoplasm of the ACTH-positive cells, except that the mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi vesicles and cisternae were devoid of PAP molecules. This distribution differed from the localization reported in ACTH-secreting cells of the rat anterior pituitary, where the reaction product was found in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex as well as in secretory granules.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1978

[Biosynthesis of beta-endorphin].

We have demonstrated that beta-lipotropin is a precursor molecule and that during its maturation, it gives rise to beta-endorphin. This model is similar to proinsulin, proparathyroid hormone and proglucagon models. Since beta-endorphin is also found in the hypothalamus, one can foresee that its biosynthesis will be similar if not identical. It is then conceivable to believe that the other hypothalamic factors are issued from larger precursor molecules. When this will be shown, and well established, studies on their control mechanism will be much easier.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1977

Morphine-like activity of sheep beta-lipotropin and of its tryptic fragments.

Sheep beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) (sequence 1-91) was selectively cleaved with trypsin after blocking the epsilon-amino groups of lysine with citraconic anhydride. The resulting peptides were purified by a combination of cation-exchange chromatography and high-voltage electrophoresis. The purified fragments were then tested for their morphine-like activity in the mouse vas deferens bioassay. The active peptides were 61-91 and 61-80 were about as active as the synthetic methionine-enkephalin, and in turn these were about 100 times more active than beta-LPH itself. The inhibition of electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens by these peptides is reversed by naloxone, and suggests a competitive character of interaction. It is thus concluded that the active core for the morphine like activity in the mouse vas deferens bioassay is the fragment 61-65 of beta-LPH.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1977

Immunohistochemical localization of beta-lipotropic hormone in the pituitary gland.

Identification of the beta-lipotropic hormone (beta-LPH)-producing cells in several species, including man, was performed with the technique involving use of the unlabeled antibody and peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex. Serial paraffin and ultrathin sections were treated for detection of both beta-LPH and ACTH at the light and electron microscopic levels. It was clearly shown that beta-LPH could be found only in the corticotropic cells located in the pars intermedia and pars distalis of all species studied. At the electron microscope level, it could be established that beta-LPH is contained in all the secretory granules of positive cells. These results suggest that beta-LPH is stored in the same secretory granules as ACTH and that both hormones are released together during granule extrusion.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Presence of vasopressin, oxytocin and neurophysin in the retina of mammals, effect of light and darkness, comparison with the neuropeptide content of the neurohypophysis and the pineal gland.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) as well as their CNS carrier neurophysins (Np) have been found in the pineal gland. In view of the analogy between the pineal gland and the retina, the contents of these neuropeptides in rat, human and bovine retinae were determined. AVP, OT and Np were detected by specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) and their presence confirmed by RIA measurements (1) in rat and human retinae on HPLC fractions and (2) by the detection of the C-terminal portion of the precursor to AVP and its associated Np = propressophysin (CPP). The AVP and OT content in the retina of the rat was modified by light: AVP and OT content was smaller at 2 a.m. than at 2 p.m., but was increased by a 7 day constant exposure to darkness. In contrast, pituitary content was decreased after 7 days of constant darkness. If one optic nerve was cut we observed a decrease in retinal AVP content compared to the contralateral side and a decrease in pituitary AVP content. Our data clearly demonstrated the presence of AVP, OT and Np in the retina and their variation induced by light. It is probable that these peptides are of central origin.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Microsequencing evidence for the maturation of human proopiomelanocortin into an 18 amino acid beta-melanocyte stimulating hormone [h beta MSH(5-22)] in nonpituitary tissue.

Sixty pmoles of a material with molecular size, immunological, and RP-HPLC characteristics identical to that of h beta MSH(5-22) were purified from a bronchial carcinoid tumor responsible for the ectopic ACTH syndrome. The first 16 cycles of microsequencing revealed the following sequence: Asp-Glu-Gly-Pro-Tyr-Arg-Met-Glu-X-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-X-Pro- Pro-, identical to the first 16 amino acids of h beta MSH(5-22). Since this material was recognized by an antibody which requires the free COOH-terminal Asp22 residue, it can be assumed that it is indeed h beta MSH(5-22). We also show that neither the 5 N acetic acid nor the 1 N HCl extraction procedure artefactually generated h beta MSH-like material in normal or tumoral human pituitaries and in nonpituitary tumors. We conclude that h beta MSH(5-22) is a normal maturation product of proopiomelanocortin in the human nonpituitary tissues which express its gene, including the hypothalamus and ACTH-secreting tumors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗