DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Estrogen Receptor Regulation of the Social Transcriptome

论文研究：社会转录组的雌激素受体调节

• 批准号: 1011253
• 负责人: Johann Hofmann
• 金额: $ 1.5万
• 依托单位: University of Texas at Austin
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-07-15 至 2011-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1011253&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Estrogen; Receptor; Regulation

In many species, males compete aggressively for access to females and resources. Behavior patterns associated with aggression are regulated by both internal and external factors that the animal must integrate in order to make the appropriate behavioral response to a situation. Steroid hormones are excellent candidates for integrating external environmental cues and internal mechanisms such as brain gene expression. This research will use the African cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni, to investigate the molecular processes by which the sex steroid hormone estrogen influences social behavior. Males of this species have two distinct social phenotypes that are reversible depending on social context. This plasticity will be utilized in order to gain insights into the biological mechanisms of male-male competition by investigating the neural, hormonal, and molecular underpinnings of aggression in dominant and subordinate males. Specifically, the brain gene expression changes in dominant and subordinate males will be measured after the estrogen pathway is pharmacologically disturbed, giving insight into which genes are under estrogenic influence. Ultimately, this research will provide insights into the molecular and hormonal processes that underlie male-male competition and its evolutionary consequences.This project will provide excellent educational opportunities to high school students, undergraduates, and one graduate student. The PI is the organizer of a research internship program for student from an urban, largely minority high school in Austin. Both investigators frequently participate in science outreach programs both on the UT Austin campus and in the local community. Both investigators strive to enhance the infrastructure for research and education by establishing journal clubs and contributing to education panels for improvement of undergraduate science labs.

In many species, males compete aggressively for access to females and resources.与攻击性相关的行为模式受到内部和外部因素的调节，动物必须整合这些因素才能对情况做出适当的行为反应。 Steroid hormones are excellent candidates for integrating external environmental cues and internal mechanisms such as brain gene expression.这项研究将使用非洲丽鱼科鱼（Astatotilapia burtoni）来研究性类固醇激素雌激素影响社会行为的分子过程。该物种的雄性有两种不同的社会表型，根据社会背景，这些表型是可逆的。我们将利用这种可塑性，通过研究占主导地位的雄性和从属雄性的攻击性的神经、激素和分子基础，深入了解雄性间竞争的生物学机制。具体来说，在雌激素途径受到药理干扰后，将测量主导和从属男性的大脑基因表达变化，从而深入了解哪些基因受到雌激素的影响。最终，这项研究将深入了解男性竞争背后的分子和激素过程及其进化后果。该项目将为高中生、本科生和一名研究生提供极好的教育机会。 The PI is the organizer of a research internship program for student from an urban, largely minority high school in Austin. Both investigators frequently participate in science outreach programs both on the UT Austin campus and in the local community. 两位研究人员都致力于通过建立期刊俱乐部和为教育小组做出贡献以改善本科科学实验室来加强研究和教育基础设施。