Characterization of N-terminal POMC peptide receptor

• Grant number: 14/04758-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Claudimara Ferini Pacicco Lotfi
• Grantee: Pedro Omori Ribeiro de Mendonça
• Supervisor: Andrew B. Bicknell
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Reading, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 12/23535-4 - The role of POMC-derived peptides in differentiation and function of adrenal cortex, BP.PD

Abstract

The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is considered the main peptide derived from POMC acting on the adrenal gland promoting development, maintenance and corticosteroidogenesis. However, there is considerable evidence that other peptides derived from POMC, such as those from the N-terminal (N-POMC), might act to maintain the adrenal gland. However, it remains unknown the receptor for these N-POMC peptides expressed by the adrenal cells. This is a fundamental unsolved gap that resides in adrenal physiology field nowadays. This project brings together the skills of two laboratories at University of São Paulo and University of Reading to provide the initial isolation and characterization of the N-POMC-Receptor in rat adrenal cells. Using a microarray dataset from the rat adrenal gland, we will compare and isolate all the candidates for G-protein and tyrosine kinase receptors. We can exclude known receptors that are not candidates for the N-POMC receptor. The putative receptors will be tested for their ability to bind to N-POMC using radio or fluorescently labelled ligand-binding assays. The discovery of this receptor will contribute to the knowledge in adrenal physiology, and also will contribute to the characterization for the N-POMC-Receptor in the human adrenal gland. (AU)