Summary
β-Lipotropin (β-LPH) has been localized in hypothalamus and pituitary of sheep and ox by the immunoperoxidase technique. In both species β-LPH was found in perikarya of arcuate neurons as well as in cells of the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary. A large number of immunoreactive axons were found in the arcuate region; some appeared to innervate other neurons and others projected to portal capillaries. Stained fiber segments were also scattered throughout the hypothalamus. The presence of β-LPH in hypothalamic neurons supports the possibility that brain β-LPH may be a precursor for opiate-like or other peptides which may be involved in neuromodulation or neurohormonal activities.
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We thank L.A. Sternberger for peroxidase-antiperoxidase complexes, C.H. Li for ovine β-LPH and β-endorphin, The National Pituitary Agency for β-melanocyte stimulating hormone, and S. Rosario for technical assistance. Supported by PHS grant (Teacher-Investigator Award*) NS 11008, a Parkinson's Disease Foundation grant to Columbia University, and the Lita Annenberg Hazen Charitable Trust
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Zimmerman, E.A., Liotta, A. & Krieger, D.T. β-lipotropin in brain: Localization in hypothalamic neurons by immunoperoxidase technique. Cell Tissue Res. 186, 393–398 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224929
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224929