Localization of Notch signaling molecules and their effect on cellular proliferation in adult rat pituitary

Notch signaling is a cell-to-cell signaling system involved in the maintenance of precursor cells in many tissues. Although Notch signaling has been reported in the pituitary gland, the histological characteristics of Notch receptors and ligands in the gland are unknown. Here, we report the histological gene expression pattern of Notch receptors and ligands and the role of Notch signaling in cellular proliferation in adult rat pituitary gland. In situ hybridization detected transcripts of Notch1 and 2 and Jagged1 and 2. Double-staining with a combination of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that their mRNAs were localized in almost half of the S100- protein-positive cells, which are generally regarded as marginal layer cells and folliculo-stellate cells. In primary culture of anterior pituitary cells, proliferation of S100- protein-positive cells was modulated by Notch signaling inhibitor and solubilized Notch ligand. Furthermore, quantitative analysis revealed that the inhibition of Notch signaling led to the down-regulation of mRNA for the Notch target gene Hes1 and the up-regulation of p57 gene expression. These findings suggest that Notch signaling is involved in the proliferation of S100-protein-positive cells, presumably precursor cells, in adult rat pituitary gland.