Brainstem prolactin mRNA is enhanced in mice with suppressed neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity

Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 2004 Oct 22;129(1-2):179-84. doi: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.06.018.

Abstract

Prolactin (PRL) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) mRNA levels were elevated in the brainstem of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene knockout (KO) mice compared to the levels in nNOS control mice. In addition, PRL mRNA levels increased in the hypothalamus and the brainstem of nNOS control mice after administration of 7-nitro-indazole (7-NI), a relatively selective nNOS inhibitor. The results suggest that NO inhibits PRL. No differences in the genes measured were observed in inducible NOS KO mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Stem / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism
  • Indazoles / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • Prolactin / genetics*
  • Prolactin / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / metabolism

Substances

  • Indazoles
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
  • Prolactin
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • Nos1 protein, mouse
  • 7-nitroindazole