Urotensin-II, a neuropeptide ligand for GPR14, induces c-fos in the rat brain

Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Jun 16;493(1-3):95-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.04.009.

Abstract

The vasoactive peptide urotensin-II and its receptor, GPR14 (now known as UT receptor), are localised in the mammalian central nervous system. Accordingly, various centrally mediated effects of urotensin-II on behaviour, neuroendocrine hormones and neurochemistry have been described. To investigate neuroanatomical substrates for the central actions of urotensin-II, expression of the immediate early gene c-fos was examined following intracerebroventricular administration to rats. Urotensin-II increased Fos expression in the cingulate cortex and periaqueductal grey, suggesting important central roles for urotensin-II and its receptor.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Gene Expression / genetics
  • Gyrus Cinguli / drug effects
  • Gyrus Cinguli / physiology
  • Injections, Intraventricular
  • Ligands*
  • Male
  • Midline Thalamic Nuclei / drug effects
  • Midline Thalamic Nuclei / physiology
  • Neuropeptides / chemistry
  • Neuropeptides / pharmacology*
  • Periaqueductal Gray / drug effects
  • Periaqueductal Gray / physiology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / immunology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / drug effects*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / physiology
  • United Kingdom
  • Urotensins / chemistry
  • Urotensins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Neuropeptides
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Urotensins
  • Uts2r protein, rat
  • urotensin II