| First Author | Pedeutour F | Year | 1992 |
| Journal | Cytogenet Cell Genet | Volume | 61 |
| Pages | 260 (Abstr.) | Mgi Jnum | J:3596 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:52108 | Citation | Pedeutour F, et al. (1992) Chromosal localization of the authentic human pro-melanin concentrating hormone (PMCH) gene into the 12q23-q24 region. Cytogenet Cell Genet 61:260 (Abstr.) |
| abstractText | Full text of Abstract: Chromosomal localization of the authentic human pro-melanin concentrating hormone (PMCH) gene into the 12q23-q24 region. Florence Pedeutour, Christophe Breton, Claude Szpirer, Claude Turc-Carel, and Jean-Louis Nahon. Address of first author: Labratoire de Genetique Moleculaire des Cancers Humains, CNRS URA 1462, Faculte de Medecine, Avenue de Vallombrose, 06107 Nice, France. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a cyclic peptide which was initially isolated from salmon pituitary gland (I), then from rat hypothalamus (2). In teleost fishes this peptide induces melanin aggregation within melanophores and participates in the regulation of the stress response (3). In mammals the function of MCH is not as well defined as in fishes. The anatomical distribution of MCH perikarya and projections suggests a neurotransmitter role for this peptide in a broad array of functions including regulation of food and water intake, locomotor activity, and in general arousal associated with emotion (3). Cloning and sequencing analysis of rat and human MCH cDNAs revealed the presence of two additional putative peptides, named NEI and NGE, which may be generated from the same precursor PMCH (4). These peptides are colocalized with MCH and interact in the rat brain. The structural organization of rat and mouse PMCH gene has been recently established (5; our unpublished data). Here, we report cloning of the authentic human PMCH gene using PCR with genomic DNA isolated from human cell lines. The structure of PMCH gene is highly conserved among mammalian species with 3 exons separated by two introns of about 350 and 270 base pairs respectively. Interestingly a truncated form of the PMCH gene has been found in human genomic libraries. Whether this gene represents a variant or a pseudogene remains to be established. In addition we have mapped the locus of the authentic PMCH gene on human chromosomes by combining Southern blotting analysis, with DNA isolated from a panel of hybrid cell clones segregating human chromosomes, and in situ hybridization on metaphase chromosomes with biotinylated MCH genomic probe. Both methods lead to the same conclusion and allow assignment of authentic PMCH locus to human chromosome 12q23-q24. The phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene, the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene and the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene have already been mapped in this region of chromosome 12. PMCH gene is the first neuropeptide-encoding gene found in a new synteny group conserved in human (chromosome 12), rat (chromosome 7) and mouse (chromosome 10). Our chromosome mapping can serve now as reference point for linkage analysis of PMCH locus alterations with possible neurologic disorders associated with complex behaviors such as eating and drinking intake behavior. 1. Kawauchi H., et al. (1983) Nature 30S. 321-323. 2. Vaughan J.M., et al. (1989) Endocrinology 125,1660-1665. 3. Baker B.I. (1991) International Review of Cytology 126, 1-47. 4. Nahon J.L., et al. (1989) In: "Recent advances in basic and clinical neuroendocrinology." Ed. Casanueva F.F. and Dieguez C., Ex. Med. Int. Congress Series, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam, 864, 15-23. 5. Thompson R.C. and Watson S.J. (1990) DNA and cell biology 9, 637-645. |
