Proopiomelanocortin and melanocortin receptors in the adult rat retino-tectal system and their regulation after optic nerve transection
The aim of this study was to characterise the expression of the melanocortin system in the normal and injured rat visual system. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, we detected melanocortin MC3, MC4 and MC5 receptors and proopiomelanocortin in adult retina and superior colliculus. Melanocortin MC4 receptor mRNA was the most abundant receptor. Melanocortin MC3, MC4 a