Dissertation Research: The role of deltaFosB in social behaviors of the monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster)

论文研究：deltaFosB 在一夫一妻制草原田鼠（Microtus ochrogaster）社会行为中的作用

• 批准号: 0910317
• 负责人: Karen Bales
• 金额: $ 0.78万
• 依托单位: University of California-Davis
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-06-01 至 2010-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0910317&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; role; deltaFosB; social

Monogamy is characterized by the formation of strong and selective preferences for a specific partner ("pair-bonding"). Pair-bonding is associated with a number of significant changes in both behavior and physiology; however, the mechanisms for these changes are not completely understood. This research will explore a potential cellular mechanism for neural adaptations involved in the social behavior of a monogamous rodent, the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). Specifically, the studies will focus on a unique protein, delta-FosB, which has emerged as a potential molecular 'switch' mediating long-term adaptations in the brain. This protein has been shown to accumulate in the brains of animals that are repeatedly exposed to drugs, food-reinforcement and wheel-running. However, the role of this protein in naturalistic, species-typical behavior is not well characterized. The proposed research consists of three goals: 1) examine delta-FosB accumulation in the brain following the formation and maintenance of a pair bond, 2) explore whether increasing levels of delta-FosB in the brain facilitates pair bond formation in the monogamous prairie vole, and 3) examine region-specific delta-FosB accumulation as a result of social separation (a chronic stressor and model of 'grief'). This study is designed to expand understanding of the evolution and neurobiology of social behavior. This research will also inform our understanding of the biology of attachment, grief and mourning in humans, as social bonds are a critical component of human behavior. Finally, this research will provide training in neuroscience for a female graduate student and multiple undergraduates.

一夫一妻制的特点是对特定伴侣形成强烈的选择性偏好（“配对结合”）。配对结合与行为和生理上的许多显著变化有关;然而，这些变化的机制尚未完全了解。这项研究将探索一种潜在的细胞机制的神经适应参与一夫一妻制啮齿动物，草原田鼠（Microtus ochrogaster）的社会行为。 具体来说，这些研究将集中在一种独特的蛋白质delta-FosB上，这种蛋白质已经成为一种潜在的分子“开关”，介导大脑的长期适应。这种蛋白质已经被证明会在反复接触药物、食物强化和车轮运行的动物大脑中积累。然而，这种蛋白质在自然的，物种典型的行为中的作用还没有得到很好的表征。拟议的研究包括三个目标：1）检查delta-FosB积累在大脑中形成和维持一对债券，2）探索是否增加大脑中delta-FosB的水平促进一夫一妻制草原田鼠的配对债券形成，和3）检查区域特定的delta-FosB积累作为社会分离的结果（慢性应激源和“悲伤”模型）。这项研究旨在扩大对社会行为进化和神经生物学的了解。这项研究还将为我们理解人类依恋、悲伤和哀悼的生物学提供信息，因为社会纽带是人类行为的重要组成部分。 最后，本研究将为一名女研究生和多名本科生提供神经科学培训。