Proopiomelanocortin, corticotropin releasing hormone and corticotropin releasing hormone receptor genes are expressed in human skin

FEBS Lett. 1995 Oct 23;374(1):113-6. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(95)01090-2.

Abstract

Evidence is provided that human skin, the largest body organ exposed to multiple stressors, expresses proopiomelanocortin (POMC), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and CRH-receptor (CRHR) genes in vivo. In vitro studies show that POMC and CRHR mRNAs are transcribed in melanocytes, cells derived from the neural crest, and in keratinocytes, cells derived from the ectoderm. CRH mRNA is transcribed in cultured melanocytes but not in keratinocytes. It is proposed that an equivalent of the 'hypothalamus-pituitary axis' composed of the CRH-CRHR-POMC loop is conserved in mammalian skin.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / biosynthesis
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / genetics*
  • DNA Primers
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Keratinocytes / radiation effects
  • Melanocytes / metabolism
  • Melanocytes / radiation effects
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin / biosynthesis
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin / genetics*
  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / genetics*
  • Skin / cytology
  • Skin / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone