Localization of neurons containing pro-opiomelanocortin-related peptides in the hypothalamus and midbrain of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis evidence for region-specific processing of [beta]-endorphin

Immunohistochemical analyses of the lizard brain, following colchicine pretreatment, revealed two populations of POMC-producing cell bodies located in medial-basal hypothalamus and the mesencephalic tegmentum. Analyses of extracts of lizard brain regions by radioimmunoassay and gel filtration chromatography indicate that [beta]-endorphin-sized and [alpha]-MSH-sized peptides are the major POMC-related end products. Evidence is presented for region-specific processing of [beta]-endorphin in the lizard brain.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24600/1/0000008.pd