CAREER: Molecular Biology of the Terminal Nerve System

动物的行为在很大程度上受到大脑感官输入的影响。例如，鼻子中的“嗅觉”或嗅觉神经元向大脑发送信号，在那里嗅觉气味并对其起作用。感觉通路可能会受到身体或大脑中反映动物生理状况的神经元的影响。鼻子中的“末梢神经”向嗅觉神经元分泌性激素(促性腺激素释放激素)。这个实验室的实验表明，这种激素改变了细胞水平上的气味检测。到底是什么控制了末梢神经激素的分泌，目前还不得而知。这些实验将研究信息素是否增加GnRH基因在终末神经中的表达和/或产生，以及这些变化是否通过嗅觉大脑中心介导。该项目将包括一系列的程序，包括分子生物学、生化和神经活动技术在蜥蜴模型中，Plethodon shermani。在促性腺激素释放激素存在的情况下，嗅觉感受器神经元活性的变化是可以预料的。这项工作将有助于展示荷尔蒙如何调节感觉系统，从而让我们更好地了解动物的行为。教育计划是让代表不足的少数族裔学生和教师(印第安人、非裔美国人和墨西哥裔美国人)参与研究，并让社区参与神经科学。学生和教师将参与研究，开发网站和教材，在中学和边远社区举办神经科学讲习班和研讨会，并与国际同事互动。其广泛的影响将是：(1)为学生整合研究、教学和社区推广活动；(2)通过互联网、公共传播和国际同事提供科学和计划信息；(3)向距离高等教育机构较远的弱势社区展示我们的科学知识。

Animal behavior is greatly influenced by sensory inputs to the brain. For example, "olfactory" or smell neurons in the nose send signals to the brain where odors are perceived and acted upon. Sensory pathways can be influenced by neurons in the body or brain that reflect the animal's physiological condition. The "terminal nerve" in the nose secretes a sex hormone (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) onto olfactory neurons. Experiments in this laboratory have shown that the hormone alters odor detection at the cellular level. What controls the secretion of the hormone from the terminal nerve is still unknown. These experiments will investigate whether pheromones increase GnRH gene expression and/or production in the terminal nerve and whether these changes are mediated through olfactory brain centers. This project will incorporate an array of procedures including molecular-biological, biochemical and neural-activity techniques in the salamander model, Plethodon shermani. Alterations in olfactory-receptor-neuron activity in the presence of GnRH are expected. This work will help to show how hormones can modulate sensory systems, thus giving us a much better understanding of animal behavior.The educational plan is to involve underrepresented minority students and teachers (Native American Indian, African-American and Mexican-American) in conducting research and in engaging the community in neuroscience. Students and teachers will participate in research, in developing Website and teaching materials, and in giving neuroscience workshops and seminars in secondary schools and outlying communities and interacting with international colleagues. The broad impact will be to (1) integrate research, teaching, and community outreach activities for students, (2) make available scientific and program information on the Internet, by public communications and to international colleagues, and (3) present our scientific knowledge to disadvantaged communities located at a distance from institutions of higher education.