Astrocytes synthesize angiotensinogen in brain

Science. 1988 Dec 9;242(4884):1444-6. doi: 10.1126/science.3201232.

Abstract

Cell types associated with angiotensinogen mRNA in rat brain were identified in individual brain sections by in situ hybridization with tritiated RNA probes or with a sulfur-35--labeled oligonucleotide combined with immunocytochemical detection of either glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) for astrocytes or microtubule-associated protein (MAP-2) for neurons. Autoradiography revealed silver grains clustered primarily over GFAP-reactive soma and processes; most grain clusters were not associated with MAP-2--reactive cells. These results demonstrate that, in contrast to other known neuropeptide precursors, angiotensinogen is synthesized by glia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensinogen / biosynthesis*
  • Angiotensinogen / genetics
  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / analysis
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / analysis
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Rats

Substances

  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Angiotensinogen