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Biomedical subjects

R E Peter

Publications and source records attributed to R E Peter.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Stimulation of feeding behavior and food consumption in the goldfish, Carassius auratus, by orexin-A and orexin-B.

The neuropeptides, orexin-A and orexin-B, have been demonstrated to have a physiological role in the regulation of food intake in mammals. The effects of human orexin-A and orexin-B intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection on the feeding behavior of goldfish (Carassius auratus) were investigated. I.c.v. injection of orexin-A and orexin-B both caused a significant increase in appetite, as indicated by an increased number of feeding acts. Orexin-A and orexin-B both significantly stimulated food consumption, as indicated by increased total food intake during a 60-min observation period; the actions of orexin-A were dose dependent. Orexin-A was more potent than orexin-B in stimulation of both feeding behavior and food intake. These results indicate that orexin peptides are involved in the hypothalamic regulatory pathways of feeding behavior in goldfish.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dopaminergic regulation of three somatostatin mRNAs in goldfish brain.

Three distinct somatostatin cDNAs characterized previously from goldfish brain encode three preprosomatostatins (PSS), designated as PSS-I, PSS-II and PSS-III. In this study, dopaminergic regulation of PSS gene expression was examined by Northern blot analysis in the forebrain of goldfish. Intraperitoneal injection of the non-selective dopamine (DA) agonist, apomorphine, significantly decreased the levels of all three PSS mRNAs, indicating an inhibitory regulation of PSS gene expression by DA. The involvement of DA receptor subtypes in the regulation of PSS gene expression was examined using the D1 receptor agonist and antagonist drugs SKF 38393 and SCH 23390, and the D2 agonist and antagonist drugs LY 171555 and pimozide, respectively. The results provide evidence for inhibitory and/or stimulatory regulation of PSS gene expression by DA through both D1 and D2 receptors, which are dependent on the temporal pattern of dopamine input and reproductive stage of the fish. Demonstration of involvement of both DA D1 and D2 receptors in the dopaminergic regulation of goldfish brain PSS gene expression is a novel finding, distinct from the observations in mammalian models.

Animals↗

Two gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor subtypes with distinct ligand selectivity and differential distribution in brain and pituitary in the goldfish (Carassius auratus).

In the goldfish (Carassius auratus) the two endogenous forms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), namely chicken GnRH II ([His5, Trp7,Tyr8]GnRH) and salmon GnRH ([Trp7,Leu8]GnRH), stimulate the release of both gonadotropins and growth hormone from the pituitary. This control is thought to occur by means of the stimulation of distinct GnRH receptors. These receptors can be distinguished on the basis of differential gonadotropin and growth hormone releasing activities of naturally occurring GnRHs and GnRHs with variant amino acids in position 8. We have cloned the cDNAs of two GnRH receptors, GfA and GfB, from goldfish brain and pituitary. Although the receptors share 71% identity, there are marked differences in their ligand selectivity. Both receptors are expressed in the pituitary but are differentially expressed in the brain, ovary, and liver. Thus we have found and cloned two full-length cDNAs that appear to correspond to different forms of GnRH receptor, with distinct pharmacological characteristics and tissue distribution, in a single species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Actions of two forms of gonadotropin releasing hormone and a GnRH antagonist on spawning behavior of the goldfish Carassius auratus.

The central effects of two native forms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), salmon GnRH (sGnRH) and chicken GnRH-II (cGnRH-II), and a GnRH antagonist, ¿Ac-delta 3-Pro(1), 4FD-Phe(2), D-Trp(3, 6)mGnRH (analog E), on the spawning behavior of sexually recrudescent female goldfish were investigated. The effects of analog E were also observed in mature males. Female spawning behavior was induced by intramuscular injection of females with prostaglandin F(2alpha) and placing them in the presence of mature males. Behavioral responses were quantified by recording the numbers of spawning acts performed by each pair of fish for 2 h following brain intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of different dosages of peptide or saline as control. For males, the time spent courting the female was recorded. Each pair of fish was pretested to determine their level of spawning behavior, for comparison to spawning behavior following icv treatment. Icv injection of analog E caused a significant decrease in the number of spawning acts performed by females, suggesting a role of endogenous GnRH in modulating female spawning behavior. icv injection of 0.5 ng/g of sGnRH or cGnRH-II significantly stimulated female spawning behavior, whereas doses of 1 ng/g and higher resulted in an almost complete inhibition of spawning, reflecting a down-regulation as a result of the excessive dosages. Analog E suppressed the actions of exogenous sGnRH and cGnRH-II on spawning behavior, as both the sGnRH- and cGnRH-II-induced increases in the number of spawning acts were inhibited by concomitant treatment with analog E. Analog E-injected males showed no alteration in courtship behavior. These results indicate that GnRH peptides play a major role in the control of female reproductive behavior in goldfish, but have little or no role in the control of male behavior.

Animals↗

Differential expression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and urotensin I precursor genes, and evidence of CRF gene expression regulated by cortisol in goldfish brain.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and urotensin I (UI) precursor cDNAs were cloned and sequenced from a goldfish brain cDNA library in order to investigate the distribution of CRF and UI mRNAs in goldfish brain and the regulation of CRF and UI gene expression. The CRF (966-bp) and UI (769-bp) cDNAs encode 163- and 146-amino acid precursors, respectively, and consist of a signal peptide sequence, a cryptic region, and a 41-amino acid mature peptide at the carboxy terminal. The deduced amino acid sequences of the CRF and UI peptides exhibit a sequence identity of 54%. Northern blot analysis revealed a single size of CRF (1.3 kb) and UI (2.0 kb) mRNAs, which are expressed in the telencephalon-preoptic, hypothalamic, optic tectum-thalamus, and posterior brain regions, but not in the pituitary. In addition, while the CRF gene is strongly expressed in the olfactory bulbs, the UI gene is not. In brain regions in which both genes are expressed, the mRNA levels of CRF were three- to sevenfold higher that those of UI. While the low expression levels of the UI gene prevented further analysis of its regulation, the regulation of CRF gene expression by cortisol was examined. In response to intraperitoneal implants of cortisol (300 microg/g BW) the level of CRF mRNA in the telencephalon-preoptic region decreased to 69% of control values at 6 and 24 h posttreatment. In sham-treated fish, in parallel with a transient injection stress-elicited increase in plasma cortisol, CRF mRNA levels declined to 72% of control value at 6 h postinjection and recovered after 24 h. Injection of the glucocorticoid antagonist, RU-486 (100 microg/g BW), prevented the reduction in CRF gene expression associated with the injection stress at 6 h and increased CRF mRNA levels to 145% of control value after 24 h. In contrast, the various implants had no effect on CRF mRNA levels in either the hypothalamus or the optic tectum-thalamus region. These results provide evidence of differential expression of the CRF and UI genes in hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic regions of goldfish brain. Furthermore, they demonstrate that stress levels of plasma cortisol can lead to a decrease in CRF gene expression that is mediated by glucocorticoid receptors in the telencephalon-preoptic region and give an indication of the regional specificity of the regulation of CRF gene expression by cortisol.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Distal femoral fractures after knee arthroplasty.

In seven patients who sustained eight distal femoral fractures following knee arthroplasty all fractures were treated operatively. Seven with open reduction internal fixation and one with external fixation. Seven of eight fractures had an unsatisfactory result. This was due not only to bone quality and fracture comminution, but also to technical problems and choice of implant. Revision surgery is often required.

Aged↗

[Primary surgical care of pelvic fractures associated with perineal laceration].

Unstable fractures of the pelvic ring, associated to perineal lacerations are severe injuries occurring during high-energy trauma. High rates of septic complications and mortality have been reported with these injuries. Current treatment guidelines, while dealing with open pelvic fractures or dislocations are discussed, based on a current review of the literature and on our local experience. At our institution, 55 unstable type B or C fractures of the pelvic ring were treated by osteosynthesis between 1991 and 1997. Of these, 11 patients presented with an associated perineal laceration (20%). Simultaneously to the immediate pelvic ring fixation, a diversion colostomy was performed in all these patients. Repeated wound debridements and wide spectrum antibioprophylaxis were associated. Of these 11 patients presenting an open pelvic fracture, only one died of pelvic sepsis at three weeks. 10 patients survived (91%) and went on to bony union, without any local infectious complications. Aggressive multidisciplinary initial surgical management is a rule when dealing with this type of injuries, immediate colostomy and careful wound debridement must be associated to the initial osteosynthesis.

Adult↗

Molecular cloning and expression of two type one somatostatin receptors in goldfish brain.

Somatostatin (SRIF or SS) exerts diverse inhibitory actions through binding to specific receptors. In this study, two SRIF receptor complementary DNAs (cDNAs) were cloned and sequenced from goldfish brain using PCR and cDNA library screening. The two cDNAs share 92% similarity in nucleotide sequence and 98% similarity in the deduced amino acid sequences and are presumably derived from duplicate genes, as goldfish are tetraploid. Two cDNAs encode two 367-amino acid goldfish type one SRIF receptors (designated as sst1A and sst1B, respectively), with seven putative transmembrane domains (TMD) and YANSCANP motif in the 7th TMD, a signature sequence for mammalian SRIF receptor (sst) family. In addition, the amino acid sequences of two receptors have 76% and 75% similarity to human or rat sst1, respectively, and 39-55% similarities to other mammalian sst subtypes (sst2-5), suggesting that the two receptors could be the goldfish homologs of mammalian sst1. The difference between goldfish and mammalian sst1 is mainly reflected by the extreme divergence in their extracellular N termini. Both SRIF-14 and [Pro2]SRIF-14, two of the native goldfish SRIF forms, significantly inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP release in COS-7 cells transiently expressing goldfish sSt1A or sst1B, suggesting functional coupling of the two receptors to adenylate cyclase. Northern blot and RT-PCR showed that messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for both receptors are widely distributed throughout goldfish brain, whereas only one receptor mRNA is expressed in the pituitary. RT-PCR analysis also detected sst1 receptor mRNAs in several peripheral tissues. These findings provide fundamental information for studying the mechanism of SRIF actions in vertebrates and structural analysis of mammalian sst receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of three distinct somatostatin messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) in goldfish brain: characterization of the complementary deoxyribonucleic acids, distribution and seasonal variation of the mRNAs, and action of a somatostatin-14 variant.

In this study, three somatostatin (SRIF) complementary DNAs (cDNAs) were characterized from goldfish brain. The cDNAs encode three distinct preprosomatostatins (PSS), designated as PSS-I, PSS-II, and PSS-III. The goldfish PSS-I, PSS-II, and PSS-III contain enzymatic cleavage recognition sites, potentially yielding SRIF-14 with sequence identical to mammalian SRIF-14, SRIF-28 with [Glu1, Tyr7, Gly10]SRIF-14 at its C-terminus, and [Pro2]SRIF-14, respectively. The brain distribution of the three SRIF messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were differential but overlapping in the telencephalon, hypothalamus and optic tectum-thalamus regions. Seasonal variations in the levels of the three mRNAs were observed, with differential patterns between the three mRNAs and differences between the sexes. However, only the seasonal alteration in the levels of the mRNA encoding PSS-I showed close association with the seasonal variation in brain contents of immunoreactive SRIF-14 and inversely correlated with the seasonal variation in serum GH levels described in the previous studies, suggesting that SRIF-14 is involved in the control of the seasonal variation in serum GH levels. The putative SRIF-14 variant, [Pro2]SRIF-14, inhibited basal GH secretion from in vitro perifused goldfish pituitary fragments, with similar potency to SRIF-14; [Pro2]SRIF-14 also inhibited stimulated GH release from the pituitary fragments, supporting that [Pro2] SRIF-14 is a biologically active form of SRIF in goldfish.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

mRNA expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRHs) and GnRH receptor in goldfish.

In goldfish (Carassius auratus), two distinct forms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), namely, salmon GnRH (sGnRH) and chicken GnRH-II (cGnRH-II), have been identified in the brain using chromatographic, immunological, and molecular cloning approaches. These two native GnRHs act on specific receptors in the anterior pituitary to stimulate the synthesis and release of gonadotropins and growth hormone in goldfish. To evaluate the potential roles of sGnRH and cGnRH-II in both neural and reproductive tissues in goldfish, we studied the mRNA expression of sGnRH, cGnRH-II, and GnRH receptor (GnRH-R) in discrete brain areas, pituitary, ovary, and testis by a combined reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern blot analysis. Total RNA was extracted from various tissues of sexually recrudescent male and female goldfish and RT-PCR was performed with primers specific for GnRH-R complementary DNA (cDNA), sGnRH cDNA, cGnRH-II cDNA-1, and cDNA-2. Results showed that GnRHs and GnRH-R mRNAs are differentially distributed in the brain. In the goldfish brain, sGnRH mRNA was predominantly expressed in the forebrain areas (olfactory bulb, telencephalon, and hypothalamus) whereas cGnRH-II mRNA-1 were expressed in all brain areas including olfactory bulbs and optic tectum-thalamus. The expression level of cGnRH-II mRNA-2 was much lower than that of cGnRH-II mRNA-1 in the brain. On the other hand, GnRH-R mRNA was expressed in all brain regions and pituitary. In the ovary and testis, GnRH-R mRNA, sGnRH mRNA, and cGnRH-II mRNA-1, but not cGnRH-II mRNA-2, are expressed. Sequence analysis of the PCR products showed that nucleotide sequences of GnRH-R in gonads are identical with that in the brain and pituitary. The coexistence of GnRHs and GnRH-R mRNAs in both neural and gonadal tissues supports the notion that sGnRH and cGnRH-II may act as neurotransmitters and/or neuromodulators in the brain and as autocrine and/or paracrine hormones in gonadal tissues in addition to their established neuroendocrine roles at the pituitary of goldfish.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning and expression of cDNA encoding brain preprocholecystokinin in goldfish.

A cholecystokinin (CCK) precursor cDNA of 782 bp was identified from goldfish brain. The open reading frame (369 bp) encodes the 123 amino acid precursor which contains mono- and di-basic amino acid endoproteolytic cleavage, C-terminal alpha-amidation and tyrosyl sulfation sites. Expression studies revealed the presence of preproCCK mRNA in the gastrointestinal tract, pituitary and a wide range of brain areas from the olfactory bulbs to the posterior brain region. We have also confirmed the presence of CCK mRNA in the posterior ventrolateral hypothalamus by in situ hybridization, supporting a role of CCK in feeding behavior and regulation of pituitary hormone secretion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evolution of neuroendocrine peptide systems: gonadotropin-releasing hormone and somatostatin.

Nine vertebrate and two protochordate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) decapeptides have been identified and sequenced. Multiple molecular forms of GnRH peptide were present in the brain of most species examined, and cGnRH-II generally coexists with one or more GnRH forms in all the major vertebrate groups. The presence of multiple GnRH forms has been further confirmed by the deduced GnRH peptide structure from cDNA and/or gene sequences in several teleost species and tree shrew. High conservation of the primary structure of GnRH decapeptides and the overall structure of GnRH genes and precursors suggests that they are derived from a common ancestor. Somatostatin (SRIF) is a phylogenetically ancient, multigene family of peptides. A tetradecapeptide, SRIF (SRIF14) has been conserved, with the same amino acid sequence, in representative species of all classes of vertebrate. Four molecular variants of SRIF14 have been identified. SRIF14 is processed from preprosomatostatin-I, which contains SRIF14 at its C-terminus; preprosomatostatin-I is also processed to SRIF28 in mammals and SRIF26 in bowfin. Teleost fish possess a second somatostatin precursor, preprosomatostatin-II, containing [Tyr7, Gly10]-SRIF14 at the C-terminus, that is mainly processed into large forms of SRIF.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Estradiol stimulates growth hormone production in female goldfish.

The effects of estradiol (E2) on growth hormone (GH) production was investigated in gonad-intact female goldfish. It was first necessary to generate a specific antibody for use in immunocytochemistry, Western, and dot-blot analyses of GH production. To accomplish this, grass carp GH (gcGH) cDNA was cloned by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and expressed in Echerichia coli and a specific polyclonal antibody to recombinant gcGH was generated in the rabbit. In Western blot, the anti-gcGH antibody specifically immunoreacted with recombinant gcGH, purified natural common carp GH, and with a single 21.5-kDa GH form from pituitary extracts of grass carp, common carp, goldfish, and zebrafish but not salmon, trout, or tilapia. Intraperitoneal injection of the recombinant gcGH enhanced the growth rates of juvenile common carp demonstrating biological activity of this GH preparation. Electron microscopic studies showed that the anti-gcGH-I antibody specifically reacted with GH localized in the secretory granules of the goldfish somatotroph. Using anti-gcGH-I in a dot-blot assay, it was found that in vivo implantation of solid silastic pellets containing E2, (100 micrograms/g body weight for 5 days) increased pituitary GH content by 150% in female goldfish. In a second, independent study employing a previously characterized anticommon carp GH antibody for radioimmunoassay, it was found that E2 increased pituitary GH content by 170% and serum GH levels by approximately 350%. The E2-induced hypersecretion of GH and increase in pituitary GH levels was not associated with changes in steady-state pituitary GH mRNA levels, suggesting that this sex steroid may enhance GH synthesis at the posttranscriptional or translational level. Previous observations indicate that GH can stimulate ovarian E2 production. The present results show that E2 can in turn stimulate GH production, indicating the existence of a novel pituitary GH-ovarian feedback system in goldfish.

Animals↗

Goldfish gamma-preprotachykinin mRNA encodes the neuropeptides substance P, carassin, and neurokinin A.

Two cDNAs, size 969 bp and 1146 bp respectively, encoding goldfish gamma-preprotachykinin (gamma-PPT) were identified. Both cDNAs contain the same 345 bp open reading frame. The deduced 114-amino acid gamma-PPT contains the sequence of substance P, carassin and neurokinin A. sequence analysis of the two cDNA 5'-untranslated regions shows that the two cDNAs may represent different PPT-A gene transcripts resulting from the alternative transcriptional start sites. Expression of gamma-PPT mRNA was detected in a wide range of brain areas from the olfactory bulbs to the posterior brain region, as well as in the intestine, testis and pituitary.

Alternative Splicing↗

Fat embolism and death during prophylactic osteosynthesis of a metastatic femur using an unreamed femoral nail.

We report a case of cardiovascular collapse and death occurring intraoperatively during the prophylactic nailing of a metastatic femur using an unreamed femoral nail. The cause of death, as documented by the autopsy, was a massive fat embolism. The risk of fat embolism while performing intramedullary nailing is well known and has been linked to the process of medullary reaming. Unreamed femoral interlocking nails recently have become available. Although recent reports in the literature have concluded that the risk of fat embolism appears less likely while using unreamed implants, the surgeon should carefully consider the indications for any type of intramedullary fixation, particularly when dealing with unbroken femurs exhibiting impending pathologic fracture, or when preexisting pulmonary disease such as metastasis is present.

Aged↗

Cloning of cDNA for goldfish activin beta B subunit, and the expression of its mRNA in gonadal and non-gonadal tissues.

We have cloned a full length cDNA coding for activin beta B subunit from the goldfish ovary. Sequence analysis of the goldfish activin beta B shows that this peptide is extremely conserved across vertebrates. The mature region of goldfish activin beta B has 93 and 98% amino acid identity with that of human and zebrafish beta B subunit respectively. The identity of the cloned goldfish activin beta B was further confirmed by expressing the protein in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells followed by detection of the specific activity of activin in the culture medium using F5-5 cell assay. mRNA of goldfish activin beta B is expressed in a variety of goldfish tissues including ovary, testis, brain, pituitary, kidney and liver, suggesting a wide range of physiological roles for activin in the goldfish.

Activins↗

Cloning and expression pattern of a second [His5Trp7Tyr8]gonadotropin-releasing hormone (chicken GnRH-H-II) mRNA in goldfish: evidence for two distinct genes.

Complementary DNAs (cDNAs) encoding [Trp7Leu8]GnRH (sGnRH) and [His5Trp7Tyr8]GnRH (cGnRH-II) peptides have been isolated from the brain of goldfish (X. W. Lin and R. E. Peter, 1996, Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 101, 282-296). In the present study we report the isolation of a second cDNA encoding cGnRH-II peptide in the brain of goldfish using reverse transcription (RT) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. There is an overall 79.7% nucleotide sequence similarity between the two cGnRH-II cDNAs, with 65.3, 91.2, and 76.3% similarity between the 5'-untranslated regions, coding regions, and 3'-untranslated regions, respectively, of the two cGnRH-II cDNAs. Comparison of the two cGnRH-II precursors shows 87.2% amino acid similarity. The presence of two cGnRH-II genes was confirmed by the sequence analysis of the introns between exon II and exon III of the two cGnRH-II genes. Results indicate that the intron of the two cGnRH-II genes shows a high divergence in size and sequence, but contains the same splice junction. Expression of the two cGnRH-II mRNAs was detected by RT-polymerase chain reaction assay and Southern blot analysis in all five grossly dissected brain areas, olfactory bulbs and tracts, telencephalon, hypothalamus, optic tectum-thalamus, and posterior brain. However, there was a difference in apparent intensity of hybridization signal for the two cGnRH-II mRNAs in all brain areas, suggesting a difference of expression levels. sGnRH mRNA was detected in the olfactory bulbs, telencephalon, and hypothalamus, but not in midbrain and posterior brain areas. The present finding of duplicate cDNAs and genes for cGnRH-II in goldfish is in agreement with the recent tetraploidization in this species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗