Behavioral Actions of Neuropeptides

这个研究项目的重点是类固醇激素与大脑中多肽相互作用的机制。我们知道抗利尿激素/催产素肽家族中的肽是生殖行为的有效调节剂，这些肽的行为行为通常依赖于先前的雄激素暴露。但是雄激素和这些肽究竟是如何以及在哪里相互作用的，在很大程度上仍然是未知的。拟议的研究将使用一个两栖动物模型系统来确定大脑中哪些神经元含有雄激素受体（可以直接对这种类型的类固醇激素作出反应），哪些神经元合成这些肽，并研究类固醇激素对这些肽基因的位点特异性和性别特异性影响。从这些研究中获得的信息将有助于建立关于脑功能和行为的分子控制的广义模型。＊＊＊

9319633 Moore This research project focuses on the mechanisms by which steroid hormones interact with peptides in the brain. We know that peptides in the vasopressin/oxytocin peptide family are potent modulators of reproductive behaviors and that the behavioral actions of these peptides frequently are dependent on prior exposure to androgen. But exactly how and where androgens and these peptides interact remains largely unknown. The proposed research will use an amphibian model system to identify which neurons in the brain contain androgen receptors (can respond directly to this type of steroid hormone) and which neurons synthesize these peptides and, also to investigate site-specific and gender-specific effects of steroid hormones on the genes for these peptides. Information gained from these studies will help to develop generalized models about the molecular control of brain functions and behaviors. ***