Decreased Immunoreactivity of the Polypeptide Precursor Pro-Opiomelanocortin (POMC) and the Prohormone Convertase PC1/3 After Chronic Ethanol Exposure in Sprague-Dawley Rats

The Melanocortin (MC) peptides and opiod peptide β-endorphin are cleaved from the polypeptide precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC). POMC-derived peptides are generated by extensive post-translational processing that involves several enzymes including prohormome convertase 1/3 and 2 (PC1/3 and PC2). Because ethanol decreases POMC mRNA levels, we determined if exposure to an ethanol-containing diet (ED) would significantly reduce central immunoreactivity of POMC, PC1/3, PC2 and β-endorphin