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NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
LETTERS
including
Psychoneuroimmunology, Neuropsychopharmacology,
Reproductive Medicine, Chronobiology
and Human Ethology, ISSN 0172–780X
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NEL
Vol.24 No.1/2, Feb-Apr 2003
NEW
SECTION
Technical developments and
novel technologies*
LEADING
RESEARCH PAPER
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2003;
24:6–7
pii: NEL241203E01
PMID: 12743525
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Direct
analysis of neuropeptides by in situ MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
in the rat brain
Isabelle
Fournier, Robert Day, Michel Salzet
1.
Laboratoire de Neuroimmunologie des Annélides, UMR
CNRS 8017, SN3, Université des Sciences et Technologies
de Lille, F-59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, FRANCE.
2. Département de Pharmacologie, Institut de Pharmacologie
de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e
Avenue Nord Sherbrooke, Québec, CANADA J1H 5N4.
Submitted:
November 7, 2002 Accepted: November 12, 2002
Key
words:
in situ Maldi-TOF; neuroimmunity; mass spectrometry; vasopressin
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Abstract
The
measure of neuropeptides is an important tool in biology to
better define endocrine and neuroendocrine function. Traditionally
most methods have relied on the development of specific antibodies.
Newer molecular methodologies have used measures of gene expression
of neuropeptide precursors, such as Northern blot, PCR or
in situ hybridization analysis. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
(MALDI) mass analysis is a novel powerful technique for investigation
of neuropeptides. Multiple peptides and peptide forms can
be detected simultaneously and with great sensitivity in tissue
extracts or partially purified samples. We have now adapted
a MALDI methodology for the direct measurement of neuropeptides
on fresh tissue sections of rat brains. We have validated
the method by examining peptidergic mass profiles of the supraoptic
nucleus (SON) and caudate putamen hypothalamic regions. Interestingly,
mass profiles showed that vasopressin, which is specifically
present in the SON, is modulated when animals are treated
with lipopolysaccharides. MALDI-MS on brain slides is a novel
complementary technique for neurobiologists and endocrinologists
in order to investigate the dynamic and regional distribution
of neuropeptides during physiological events.
*
The note from the Editor-in-Chief: I would like to express
a sincere gratitude to Professor Michel Salzet for his initiative
to open a new section in the Neuroendocrinology Letters
devoted to technical developments in neuroendocrinology,
neurosciences, neuroimmunology, neurogenetic, psychoneuroimmunology,
neuropharmacology, neuroproteomic, neuroimage. The aim of
this section is to highlight novel technologies for brain
research studies, and is opened here with the leading paper
by Isabelle Fournier, Robert Day and Michel Salzet.
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__________________________________________________________
Copyright © Neuroendocrinology Letters 2003
Society of Integrated Sciences
All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or ortherwise,
without prior written permission from the Editor-in-Chief.
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