Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART), brilliantly identified by Douglass and co-workers is an anorectic peptide regulated by leptin. Fasting animals show a pronounced decrease in CART mRNA expression in the arcuate nucleus, an area of the brain known to be associated with feeding behavior. In animal models with disrupted leptin signalling, CART mRNA is almost absent in the arcuate nucleus. ICV administration of CART inhibits both normal and starvation-induced feeding and completely blocks the feeding response induced by NPY. Antisera directed against CART increases feeding in normal rats. Indications are that CART may be an endogenous inhibitor of food intake (Kristensen et al, 1998).
Photomicrographs of sections through the vas deferens, cauda, corpus, and caput of epididymis labeled with CART antisera using the fluorescent method.
A and B) Low- and higher-magnification views of a longitudinal section of vas deferens in which CART-LI is seen in numerous varicose fibers surrounding the lumen.
C and D) Low- and higher-magnification views of a section of cauda where varicose CART-LI fibers are distributed between the tubules and underneath the epithelium.
E) Few CART-LI fibers are seen in this corpus section. F) CART-LI is virtually absent in this caput section. Bar = 100 µ
Social Network Confirmation