RT info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis T1 Papel de la proteína DLK1 en la regulación hipofisaria de las células adiposas en el ratón adulto A1 Puertas Avendaño, Ricardo Alfonso K1 Biología celular AB To better understand the role of the non-canonical Notch ligand delta-like protein 1 (DLK1), in hormone-producing cells, we studied the cell distribution and subcellular localisation of DLK1 in the pituitary of male adult 129/SvJ mice, and analysed the variations in the hormone-producing cells associated with the lack of this gene in Dlk1 knockout mice. The results obtained showed the presence of DLK1-immunoreactive (ir) cells in all hormone-producing cells of the anterior pituitary. Immunoelectron microscopy showed DLK1-ir in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and inside secretory vesicles, suggesting that DLK1 is released together with pituitary hormones. Moreover, we found that prolactin (PRL)-DLK1-ir cells are in intimate contact with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-ir-DLK1-negative cells. In Dlk1 knockout mice, we detected a significantly lower number of gowth hormone (GH)-ir cells, a reduction in the FSH and PRL immunostaining intensity, and a significant decrease in FSH mRNA expression compared to wild-type mice. An increase in pituitary GH mRNA expression and serum leptin levels was also found. These findings provide evidence supporting several regulatory functions of DLK1 in the pituitary gland. Furthermore, DLK1 showed a roll in the adipose tissue like regulator of pituitary cells and inside adipocyte cells modulating the TSHR expression levels. YR 2016 FD 2016 LK http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/25720 UL http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/25720 LA es DS Repositorio institucional de la Universidad de La Laguna RD 26-abr-2024