Gene Expression in Oxytocin Neurons During Lactation

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Dr. Summy-Long is using her Career Advancement Award to learn the state of the art molecular techniques which will allow her to investigate independently gene expression in magnocellular neurosecretory cells. Magnocellular neurons synthesize vasopressin, a peptide that regulates fluid balance and blood pressure, and oxytocin, a peptide released during lactation to initiate milk let-down in response to suckling and at parturition to contract the uterus. The oxytocinergic neurons as part of the magnocellular system undergo plasticity beginning during pregnancy at mid-gestation and lasting through lactation. This plasticity is expressed in the formation of new and reversible synapses involving growth and adaption of neurons. Although the morphological changes and electrophysiological activity are well understood, knowledge of the control of these adaptive changes at the cellular level is rudimentary. Dr. Summy-Long will examine the role that proto-oncogenes, especially c-fos, play in oxytocinergic neurons that undergo plasticity during lactation. These studies provide a foundation for probing further how and when proto-oncogenes are expressed in neurons. The research has implications for reproductive neuroendocrinology as well as for cancer, since understanding proto-oncogene expression in normal cells during changes in physiology may provide clues as to how this regulation becomes aberrant.