EXPRESSION OF LEPTIN RECEPTOR MESSENGER-RNA (LONG FORM SPLICE VARIANT) IN THE HUMAN CEREBELLUM

PRIMERS specific to the long isoform of leptin receptor (OB-Rb) mRNA w ere used in reverse transcriptase-linked polymerase chain reactions (R T-PCR) to investigate the expression of this receptor in the hypothala mus and cerebellum of human and rat. For both regions, we observed RT- PCR cDNAs as well as restriction enzyme cleavage fragments of expected sizes. Additionally, in situ hybridization of human cerebellum using two independent [S-35]oligonucleotide probes complementary to the OB-R b mRNA sequence revealed a prominent hybridization signal within the g ranular layer. Overall, our findings demonstrate the expression of OB- Rb mRNA in the cerebellum and suggest that in such a location, leptin receptors may mediate a function presumably not linked to body weight homeostasis.