Beacon-like immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus of Sprague-Dawley rats.

Distribution of the novel peptide beacon in the hypothalamus of Sprague-Dawley rats was examined by immunohistochemical methods. Beacon-immunoreactive (irBC) neurons were found in the paraventricular, supraoptic, and accessory neurosecretory nuclei, and intensely labeled fibers in the median eminence and infundibulo-pituitary stalk. Scattered cells and/or fibers were noted in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, arcuate nucleus, retrochiasmatic area, lateral and medial preoptic area, as well as anterior and lateral hypothalamic area. The wide distribution of irBC in the hypothalamus of Sprague-Dawley rats suggests that the peptide may influence, in addition to a proposed role in feeding, a multitude of biological activities associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.