Molecular Biology and Pharmacology of Neuromodulator Receptors

佩奇博士将检查基因结构，基因分布 两种生物胺受体的表达和配体特异性 他们的基因被克隆了 生物胺调节行为 在无脊椎动物和脊椎动物中也是如此。 他们是 特别有趣的是，由于它们对人类的影响， 神经障碍包括精神分裂症，躁狂抑郁症， 和毒瘾 一些昆虫提供了一个理想的模型系统， 研究生物胺在行为控制中的作用， 他们社会的种姓结构， 个体之间刻板行为的划分 根据性别种姓和年龄 佩奇博士的工作将提供一个 两种昆虫受体的完整分子遗传学特征 基因. 这将包括基因表达的定位， 昆虫的中枢神经系统。 将针对每种受体蛋白产生抗体， 用于蛋白质调控研究。 最后，受体将 在杆状病毒转染的昆虫细胞中表达， 测定每种受体的结合分布。 这项工作 将为未来描述遗传学的研究提供基础。 行为控制和社会融合的基础。

Dr. Page will examine the gene structure, distribution of gene expression, and ligand specificity of two biogenic amine receptors whose genes have been cloned. Biogenic amines modulate behavior similarly in both invertebrates and vertebrates. They are particularly interesting due to their implication in human neurological disorders including schizophrenia, manic depression, and drug addiction. Some insects provide an ideal model system for studying the role of biogenic amines in behavioral control due to the caste structure of their societies which results in the division of stereotypic behavioral repertoires between individuals according to sex, caste, and age. Dr. Page's work will provide a complete molecular genetic characterization of two insect receptor genes. This will include the localization of gene expression in the central nervous system in insects of each sex and caste. Antibodies will be produced for each of the receptor proteins for use in protein regulation studies. Finally, the receptors will be expressed in Baculovirus transfected insect cells and a ligand binding profile of each receptor will be determined. This work will provide the basis for future studies describing the genetic basis of behavioral control and social integration.