Expression of the gene for the retinal protein peripherin in the pineal gland of humans and Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

This study investigated whether the gene for peripherin, a protein previous ly considered to play only a role in the retina, may also be expressed in t he pineal gland of both Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) and humans. After extraction of mRNA from pooled pineal glands of hamsters and from on e human pineal gland, mRNA was transcribed into cDNA followed by PCR amplif ication with specific primers. Clear signals were obtained at the expected sizes of the PCR products. An additional experiment in hamsters revealed th at the peripherin gene is expressed throughout the entire 24-h period. Sinc e peripherin is an important protein in the retina stabilizing the photorec eptor discs it is speculated that this protein might also play a structural role in the pineal gland. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science ireland L td. All rights reserved.