Tissue-specific expression of rat neutral endopeptidase (Neprilysin) mRNAs

C. Li, R. M. Booze, L. B. Hersh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neutral endopeptidase is a cell surface zinc metallopeptidase that regulates the action of a variety of physiologically active peptides. The enzyme exhibits a wide tissue distribution, being most abundant in kidney and lung. Three rat neutral endopeptidase cDNAs with unique 5'-untranslated sequences were isolated. Distribution of the corresponding mRNAs in rat tissues was analyzed by RNase protection assays and by in situ hybridization. In kidney, the type 2b transcript was the major species. In lung and testis, type 1 and type 2b transcripts were expressed in approximately equal amounts, while in brain and spinal cord the type 1 mRNA was the major transcript. These findings were extended by in situ hybridization studies. All three mRNAs were expressed in the proximal tubule of the kidney, with the type 2b transcript giving the strongest signal. In the frontoparietal cortex, expression of the neutral endopeptidase mRNA subtypes was cell- and region- specific. The type 1 transcript was localized to neurons, type 2b mRNA was not detectable, while type 3 mRNA was localized to the oligodendrocytes of the corpus callosum. These results clearly demonstrate that expression of the three neutral endopeptidase mRNAs can be regulated in a cell-specific manner.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5723-5728
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume270
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 17 1995

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute on Drug AbuseR01DA002243

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Biochemistry
    • Molecular Biology
    • Cell Biology

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Tissue-specific expression of rat neutral endopeptidase (Neprilysin) mRNAs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this