Cloning and Functional Characterization of an Avian Pituitary Gland Vasotocin Receptor

禽垂体催产素受体的克隆和功能表征

• 批准号: 0111006
• 负责人: Lawrence Cornett
• 金额: $ 50.89万
• 依托单位: University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Campus
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2002
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2002-06-01 至 2006-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0111006&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Cloning; Functional; Characterization; Avian; Pituitary

The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in vertebrate animals is important for regulation of responses to stress, chiefly by release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary, which in turn stimulates release of steroid glucocorticoids from the adrenal glands. In birds, the peptide compound arginine vasotocin (AVT), which regulates water balance and reproduction, may be a major factor regulating ACTH release from the pituitary gland, though this function has not yet been well defined in birds. This project tests the hypothesis that a novel VT receptor molecule is expressed by certain cells in the pituitary, and mediates the stimulatory effect of AVT on ACTH release. A collaborative team with complementary skills will use molecular, cellular, biochemical and behavioral approaches in a uniquely integrative, comparative study to clone and characterize this novel receptor, to localize the cells expressing the receptors, and to establish the physiological role for the VT receptors. Results will be important in neuroendocrinology for understanding comparative aspects of pituitary function in vertebrates other than mammals; for an integrated understanding of molecular, cellular and behavioral mechanisms for stress regulation; and for general aspects of poultry reproduction. It will also have a broader impact on bird physiology, on general vertebrate endocrinology and reproductive behavior. There is also a strong impact on scientific infrastructure because the project has a training component including graduates and undergraduates, and involves three campuses in an EPSCoR state.

脊椎动物的下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴对应激反应的调节很重要，主要是通过从脑垂体释放促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)，进而刺激肾上腺释放类固醇糖皮质激素。在鸟类中，调节水分平衡和生殖的多肽化合物精氨酸血管催产素(AVT)可能是调节脑下垂体ACTH释放的主要因素，尽管这一功能在鸟类中尚未得到很好的定义。该项目验证了一种新的VT受体分子由脑垂体中的某些细胞表达的假设，并介导了AVT对ACTH释放的刺激作用。一个具有互补技能的协作团队将使用分子、细胞、生化和行为方法进行独特的综合比较研究，以克隆和鉴定这种新型受体，定位表达受体的细胞，并确定VT受体的生理作用。研究结果将对神经内分泌学具有重要意义，有助于了解哺乳动物以外的脊椎动物脑下垂体功能的比较方面；有助于综合理解应激调节的分子、细胞和行为机制；以及家禽繁殖的一般方面。它还将对鸟类生理、一般脊椎动物内分泌和生殖行为产生更广泛的影响。对科学基础设施的影响也很大，因为该项目有一个培训部分，包括毕业生和本科生，并涉及EPSCoR州的三个校园。