Advance Publication by J-STAGE Journal of Reproduction and Development Accepted for publication: February 18, 2020 Advanced Epub: February 28, 2020 Gpr120 mRNA expression in gonadotropes in the mouse pituitary gland is regulated by free fatty acids Chikaya Deura, Yusuke Kimura, Takumi Nonoyama and Ryutaro Moriyama Laboratory of Environmental Physiology, Department of Life Science, School of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Higashiosaka 577-8502, Japan Running head: FFA regulates Gpr120 mRNA Corresponding Author: Ryutaro Moriyama, PhD Laboratory of Environmental Physiology, Department of Life Science, School of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Higashiosaka 577-8502, Japan Phone: +81-6-4307-3435 e-mail:
[email protected] Abstract GPR120 is a long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) receptor that is specifically expressed in gonadotropes in the anterior pituitary gland in mice. The aim of this study was to investigate whether GPR120 is activated by free fatty acids in the pituitary of mice and mouse immortalized gonadotrope LβT2 cells. First, the effects of palmitate on GPR120, gonadotropic hormone b-subunits, and GnRH-receptor expression in gonadotropes were investigated in vitro. We observed palmitate-induced an increase in Gpr120 mRNA expression and a decrease in Fshb expression in LβT2 cells. Furthermore, palmitate exposure caused the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in LβT2 cells, but no significant changes were observed in the expression levels of Lhb and Gnrh-r mRNA and number of GPR120 immunoreactive cells. Next, diurnal variation in Gpr120 mRNA expression in the male mouse pituitary gland was investigated using ad libitum and night-time restricted feeding (active phase from 1900 to 0700 h) treatments.