The tissue specific transcription factor Pit-1 in the Antarctic fish, Trematomus bernacchii

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: CANDIANI, SIMONA, D. OLIVERI, S. CARBONETTI, A. AUGELLO, PESTARINO, MARIO
• Other Authors: Candiani, Simona, D., Oliveri, S., Carbonetti, A., Augello, Pestarino, Mario
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Verlag 2002
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/11567/257400; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-002-0384-9

We have investigated the expression of the tissue-specific transcription factor Pit-1 and the distribution of some adenohypophyseal hormones belonging to the GH/PRL and POMC families in the pituitary of Trematomus bernacchii (Perciformes, Notothenioidei), byimmunocy tochemistry. Pit-1 is a member of the POU protein family, and it is responsible for GH, PRL and TSH cell commitment, differentiation and gene expression in mouse. Our results show coexistence of Pit-1, SL, GH and PRL in the pituitaryof T. bernacchii. Cells containing SL, PRL and GH-like substances are widely distributed in the pituitaryand coexist with Pit-1-like proteins. Moreover, SL is not expressed in the pars intermedia as demonstrated in other teleosts, and the peptides related to the proopiomelanocortin familyare not colocalized with Pit-1, SL, GH and PRL. A few TSH cells are scattered throughout the pituitaryand are not colocalized with Pit-1, SL, GH and PRL cells. We conclude that the pituitarygross morphology has peculiar characteristics and Pit-1 could be involved in the regulation of the GH/PRL/SL cell commitment, differentiation and gene expression in the pituitaryof this Antarctic fish.