Cell-Type Specific Expression of Oxytocin and Vasopressin Genes: An Experimental Odyssey

The supraoptic nucleus (SON) is a particularly good model for the study of cell‐type specific gene expression because it contains two distinct neuronal phenotypes, the oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) synthesising magnocellular neurones (MCNs). The MCNs are found in approximately equal numbers an...

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Published in:Journal of neuroendocrinology 2012-04, Vol.24 (4), p.528-538
Main Author: Gainer, H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adeno-associated virus
Animal models
Animals
Arginine Vasopressin - biosynthesis
cell-type specific gene expression
Gene Expression Regulation - genetics
Gene Transfer Techniques
magnocellular neurones
Neurons - metabolism
Oxytocin - biosynthesis
phenotype
Promoter Regions, Genetic - genetics
Supraoptic Nucleus - cytology
Supraoptic Nucleus - metabolism
transcription factor binding sites
transcription factors
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Summary:The supraoptic nucleus (SON) is a particularly good model for the study of cell‐type specific gene expression because it contains two distinct neuronal phenotypes, the oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) synthesising magnocellular neurones (MCNs). The MCNs are found in approximately equal numbers and selectively express either the OT or the AVP gene in approximately 97% of the MCN population in the SON. An unresolved issue has been to determine what mechanisms are responsible for the highly selective regulation of the cell‐type specific expression of OT and AVP genes in the MCNs. Previous attempts to address this question have used various bioinformatic and molecular approaches, which included using heterologous cell lines to study the putative cis‐elements in the OT and AVP genes, and the use of OT and/or AVP transgenes in transgenic rodents. The data from all of the above studies identified a region
ISSN:0953-8194
1365-2826
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02236.x