OCCURRENCE OF AN OVARIAN OPIOID SYSTEM IN OVIPAROUS VERTEBRATES - PROOPIOMELANOCORTIN MRNA EXPRESSION IN THE OVARY OF THE GREEN WATER FROG, RANA ESCULENTA

摘要

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene is expressed in the ovary of Rana esculenta. Using a homologous probe, the presence of POMC mRNA could nor be detected by Northern blot analysis in the ovary, while a positive signal wa found in the pituitary gland. In contrast, after amplification of ovarian mRNA by the PCR technique, an intense signal of 480 bp was detected by Southern blotting. indicating that POMC is actually synthesised in rile ovary.