ABSTRACT
Objective In order to explore the mechanizms of thymosin action on hypothalamus. Methods RT-PCR and in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH)were used. Results The expression of prothymosin ?1-mRNA was detected in preoptic area of hy- pothalamus by using RT-PCR technique. The results of ISHH showed that prothymosin ?1-mRNA was expressed in the preoptic mag- nocellular nucleus, suprachiasmatic nuclei and paraventricular nuclei of hypothalamus. In addition, the positive signal of prothymosin ?1- mRNA was also observed both in the microglicyte near the third ventricle and in medium to small sized pyramidal cells in cerebral cor- tex. Conclusion Prothymosin ?1 is produced in preoptic area of the hypothalamus by means of paracrine, which indicates that prothy- mosin ?1 participates in the regulation of hypothalamic function.