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.

一夫一妻制的特征是形成特定伙伴的强和选择性偏好（“成对键合”）。配对键与行为和生理学的许多重大变化有关。但是，这些变化的机制尚未完全理解。这项研究将探索一种潜在的细胞机制，以涉及一夫一妻制啮齿动物（Microtus ochrogaster）的社会行为的神经适应。 具体而言，这些研究将集中于独特的蛋白质Delta-Fosb，该蛋白已成为一种潜在的分子“开关”，介导了大脑的长期适应。该蛋白已被证明会积聚在反复暴露于药物，增强食品和车轮的动物的大脑中。但是，该蛋白质在自然主义，物种典型行为中的作用并未得到很好的特征。提出的研究包括三个目标：1）检查双键的形成和维持后的Delta-FosB在大脑中积累，2）探索大脑中的Delta-foSB水平的增加是否促进了一夫一妻制的Prairie Vole中的成对键形成，并且检查了一个区域特异性的Delta-fosb积累，而Social Recorder（一个模型）和一个模型（一个模型）和模型。这项研究旨在扩大对社会行为的进化和神经生物学的理解。这项研究还将告知我们对人类依恋，悲伤和哀悼的生物学的理解，因为社会纽带是人类行为的关键组成部分。 最后，这项研究将为女性研究生和多个本科生提供神经科学的培训。