Studies on mechanisms for specialization of neocortical areas

1)我们分析了在新皮质区域特异性表达的基因。我们发现Rbp（视黄醇结合蛋白）在灵长类动物的关联区特异性表达。我们之前报道过occ1 （occipital 1）在灵长类动物的初级视觉皮层中特异性表达。本学期，我们发现occ1在灵长类动物新皮层中同时表达兴奋性神经元和抑制性神经元。然而，活动依赖性和区域特异性的occ1只在灵长类动物的新皮层中表达。这表明occ1表达的这些特征是在灵长类动物进化过程中特异性出现的。2)我们利用限制性标志cDNA扫描技术（RLCS）在灵长类动物中寻找区域特异性基因，发现了一组在灵长类动物新皮质区域特异性表达的基因。我们目前正在分析这些基因。3)我们发现zfh-5这一新型转录因子的反义RNA在大脑的几个区域中以互补的方式表达。我们目前正在研究这种反义RNA表达的意义。4)我们与京都大学樱井义夫教授合作，改进了樱井教授最初制作的大鼠视听识别系统。在新的系统中，不同的模式（光和声音）从同一位置给予老鼠，老鼠应该选择两种模式的特定组合（正确的刺激）来获得食物颗粒。利用这个系统，我们发现当大鼠从清醒状态切换到睡眠状态时，额叶皮层7-12赫兹的振荡增加。我们目前正在研究大脑中哪些类型的细胞可能参与了这种现象。我们发明了一种轮式跑步装置，在这种装置中，老鼠被要求调整一组木栓，以便在前面喝水。我们目前正在使用c-Fos作图技术研究涉及哪些类型的细胞来调整大鼠的运行模式变化。

1)We have analyzed the genes that are specifically expressed in neocortical areas. We found that Rbp (retinol binding protein) is specifically expressed in primate association areas. We previously reported that occ1 (occipital 1) is specifically expressed in the primary visual cortex of primates. In this term, we found that occ1 is expressed both excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the primate neocortex. However, the expressions of activity-dependent and area- specific occ1 are only observed in primate neocortices. This suggests that these characteristic features of occ1 expression specifically appeared during the course of primate evolution.2)We have searched for area-specific genes in primates using RLCS (restriction landmark cDNA scanning) and found a set of genes that are specifically expressed in neocortical areas in primates. We are currently analyzing these genes.3)We found that the antisense RNA of zfh-5, a novel transcriptional factor, is expressed in a complemental manner in several brain regions. We are currently studying the significance of this antisense RNA expression.4)In collaboration with professor Yoshio Sakurai, Kyoto University, we improved an audio-visual discrimination system in rats which was originally made by professor Sakurai. In the new system, different modalities (light and sound) are given from the same position to rats which should choose a particular combination of two modalities (the correct stimuli) to get a pellet of food. Using this system, we found that 7-12 Hz oscillation in the frontal cortex increased when rats were shifted from the awake to sleep state. We are currently studying what types of cells in the brain may be involved in this phenomenon.5)We developed a wheel running apparatus in which rats are asked to adjust a pattern of pegs to drink water in front. We are currently working what types of cells are involved to adjust for the running pattern change of the rat using c-Fos mapping techniques.