Nesfatin-1/nucleobindin-2 like immunoreactivity in the olfactory system, brain and pituitary of frog, Microhyla ornata

•Distribution of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in the olfactory epithelium, brain and pituitary of the frog M. ornata.•This is the first report on presence and distribution of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in amphibians.•The wide distribution of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in brain provides for multiple biological actions for nesfatin-1.

Nesfatin-1 is a recently discovered anorectic protein derived from the precursor nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2). While nesfatin-1 has been widely studied in mammals, and goldfish, there are no reports of nesfatin-1 in amphibians. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, this study assessed the distribution of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in the brain of frog Microhyla ornata. NUCB2/nesfatin-1 like immunoreactivity was found in the olfactory receptor neurons, Bowman’s glands and in the olfactory epithelium of medial diverticulum. In the brain, immunoreactive perikarya were seen in the anterior preoptic area, magnocellular nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus, ventromedial thalamic nucleus, posterior thalamic nucleus, nucleus infundibularis ventralis and dorsalis, and the cerebellar nucleus. NUCB2/nesfatin-1like immunoreactivity was also detected in the pineal and pituitary glands of frog. The presence of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in the key brain regions suggest possible roles for this protein in the regulation of physiological processes in frogs.