Levels of prokineticin 2 and its receptor in the macaque monkey brain

Prokineticin 2 (PK2) mRNA oscillates in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the diurnal macaque brain in a similar phase and amplitude to that of nocturnal mice.

• PK2 and its receptor PKR2 were cloned from a species of diurnal macaque monkey, revealing high similarity to other mammals.
• The mRNA expression of PK2 and PKR2 in the macaque brain was examined using in situ hybridization.
• Expression patterns of PK2 and PKR2 in the macaque brain closely resemble those found in the mouse brain.
• PKR2 expression was detected in known primary SCN targets, including midline thalamic and hypothalamic nuclei.
• PKR2 mRNA was also found in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) of both macaque and mouse brains, suggesting a potential new role for the DR as a primary SCN projection target.

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