Analysis of the melanotrope cell neuroendocrine interface in two amphibian species, Rana ridibunda and Xenopus laevis: A celebration of 35 years of collaborative research

Bruce Jenks (1) , Ludovic Galas (2) , Miyuki Kuribara (1) , Laurence Desrues (3) , Adhanet Kidane (1) , Hubert Vaudry (2) , Wim J.J.M. Scheenen (1) , Eric Roubos (1) , Marie-Christine Tonon (3)

1 Radboud University [Nijmegen]
2 Neuroendocrinologie cellulaire et moléculaire
3 DC2N - Différenciation et communication neuronale et neuroendocrine

This review gives an overview of the functioning of the hypothalamo–hypophyseal neuroendocrine interface in the pituitary neurointermediate lobe, as it relates to melanotrope cell function in two amphibian species, Rana ridibunda and Xenopus laevis. It primarily but not exclusively concerns the work of two collaborating laboratories, the Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Neuroendocrinology (University of Rouen, France) and the Department of Cellular Animal Physiology (Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands). In the course of this review it will become apparent that Rana and Xenopus have, for the most part, developed the same or similar strategies to regulate the release of α-melanophore-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). The review concludes by highlighting the molecular and cellular mechanisms utilized by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) to activate Rana melanotrope cells and the function of autocrine brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the regulation of Xenopus melanotrope cell function.

Mots clés: Amphibian; Pituitary; Melanotrope; Melanophore-stimulating hormone; Proopiomelanocortin

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

Bruce Jenks, Ludovic Galas, Miyuki Kuribara, Laurence Desrues, Adhanet Kidane, et al.. Analysis of the melanotrope cell neuroendocrine interface in two amphibian species, Rana ridibunda and Xenopus laevis: A celebration of 35 years of collaborative research. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 2011, 170 (1), pp.57-67. ⟨10.1016/j.ygcen.2010.09.022⟩. ⟨hal-02279887⟩