Cloning and expression patterns of neuromedin U and its receptors in pigs. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Xiang; Niu, Mingfu; Su, Juan; Ma, Zhiyu; Jin, Mengmeng; Qiao, Wenna; Zhang, Ying; Feng, Yanyan; An, Na; Hou, Yuanlong; Yang, Sheng; Chuan, Suo; Lei, Zhihai
• Is Part Of: Neuropeptides. Volume 64(2017)
• Page Start: 47
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Neuromedin U -- Receptor -- Pig -- Clone -- Expression -- Distribution; Neuropeptides -- Periodicals; Neuropeptides; Neuropeptides -- Périodiques; Neuropeptides; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 572.65
• DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.04.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-4179

Abstract

Abstract: Neuromedin U (NMU) is a highly conserved neuropeptide that performs a variety of physiological functions in animals via neuromedin U receptor-1 (NMUR1) and neuromedin U receptor-2 (NMUR2). In this study, we cloned the pig NMU, NMUR1 and NMUR2 genes. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that the pig NMU cDNA encoded the amino acids Phe-Leu-Phe-Arg-Pro-Arg-Asn-NH2 at the C-terminus and that the NMU receptors, which are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), contained the seven transmembrane domains typical of GPCRs. Systemic NMU, NMUR1 and NMUR2 mRNA expression was investigated in various pig tissues using real-time RT-PCR. NMU mRNA was expressed both in the central nervous system (CNS) and in peripheral tissues. NMUR1 mRNA was widely expressed in peripheral tissues, whereas NMUR2 mRNA was mainly expressed in the CNS. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to determine the expression patterns of NMU and NMUR1, which were predominantly located in the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary organs, and immune organs. This study presents molecular and morphological data to aid in additional NMU research in pigs. Highlights: This study cloned the complete coding DNA sequences of the pig NMU, NMUR1 and NMUR2. This is the first time to study the expression of NMU, NMUR1 and NMUR2 mRNA and investigate the distribution of NMU and NMUR1 in the various pig tissues.