Characterization and immunohistochemical visualization of the vasotocin VT2 receptor in the pituitary gland of the chicken, Gallus gallus.

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Jurkevich A, Berghman LR, Cornett LE, Kuenzel WJ

Characterization and immunohistochemical visualization of the vasotocin VT2 receptor in the pituitary gland of the chicken, Gallus gallus.

Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2005 Aug;143(1):82-91. Epub 2005 Mar 23.

PubMed ID

15993108 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Arginine vasotocin is a neurohypophysial hormone in lower vertebrates including birds. Its actions are mediated through G-protein coupled receptors that belong to the vasopressin/oxytocin receptor family. Our laboratory recently cloned a vasotocin receptor, designated the VT2 receptor (VT2R), which shares high sequence identity at both the nucleotide and amino acid level with the mammalian V1b vasopressin receptor (V1bR). In the present study, we report development and use of an antibody to the VT2R to obtain anatomical evidence for testing the hypothesis that the VT2R is the avian homolog of the mammalian V1bR. Results verified the specificity of the antibody and demonstrated a receptor distribution occurring predominantly in the cephalic lobe of the pars distalis and co-localizing with adrenocorticotropin in corticotrophs. With respect to VT2R distribution and cell-type localization in pituitary gland, evidence presented support its similarity with the mammalian V1bR. In contrast to the mammalian V1bR, VT2R expression was not observed in chicken brain. Further research will be required to determine which receptor/s in the arginine vasotocin/mesotocin family are expressed in brain and mediate regulatory functions of vasotocin in the central nervous system.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Lypressin	Vasopressin V1b receptor	Protein	Humans	Yes	Not Available	Details
Terlipressin	Vasopressin V1b receptor	Protein	Humans	Yes	Agonist	Details
Vasopressin	Vasopressin V1b receptor	Protein	Humans	Yes	Agonist	Details