Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and POMC-derived peptides immunolocalization in the skin of Protopterus annectens, an African lungfish

Antisera against adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), alpha-melanocyte stimu lating hormone (alpha-MSH) and beta-endorphin were used to localize, by imm unohistochemistry, proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides in the skin excised from different regions of the African lungfish Protopterus annecten s. Immunoreactivity was observed in the epidermis mainly in the germinal la yer. Using human POMC cDNA as hybridization probe, POMC-like mRNA was ident ified in situ in epidermal cells. The demonstration in the same cells of PO MC mRNA and POMC-related peptides immunoreactivity indicates a local produc tion of opiate hormones. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc.