Expression and Regulation of Growth Hormone (GH) Receptor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) in Rat Adipose Tissue, Adipocytes, and Adipocyte Precursor Cells: GH Regulation of GH Receptor mRNA*

The effects of hypophysectomy and hormonal replacement therapy on GH receptor (GH-R) gene expression was studied in rat adipose tissue with a cRNA probe corresponding to the amino-terminal of the hepatic GH-R. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, 50-65 days of age, were used. In all fat depots tested (epididymal, retroperitoneal, and sc), two transcripts with an estimated size of 4.0 and 1.2 kilobases (kb), respectively, were detected. An intermediate-size transcript (2.6 kb) was sometimes observed. Also, isolated adipocytes and adipocyte precursor cells from the epididymal fat pad expressed these GH-R transcripts. The pituitary dependance of GH-R gene expression was analyzed in epididymal fat. Hypophysectomies were performed at 50 days of age, and the rats were then given replacement therapy with L-T4 (10 micrograms/kg.day) and hydrocortisone (400 micrograms/kg.day). Hypophysectomy decreased the abundance of both the 4.0 and the 1.2-kb transcripts, an effect that in part was restored by GH treatment. A solution hybridization RNase protection assay was then used to further characterize the effect of GH treatment of hypophysectomized rats on GH-R gene expression. A single injection of human GH (100 micrograms/rat) increased GH-R mRNA levels within 1 h, and maximal levels were reached between 3-12 h after the injection. The increase in GH-R mRNA levels was dose dependent and was observed also after prolonged treatment (1 or 5 mg/kg.day for 6 days) with bovine GH. These results confirm that GH-R mRNAs are present in rat adipose tissue from different fat depots. GH-R transcripts of the same estimated size were detected in isolated adipocytes and adipocyte precursor cells. Furthermore, the results show that there is a rapid and GH-dependent regulation of GH-R mRNA levels in adipose tissue.