Studies on mechanisms for specialization of neocortical areas

1）我们分析了在新皮层区域特异性表达的基因。我们发现Rbp（retinol binding protein，视黄醇结合蛋白）在灵长类动物的结合区特异性表达。我们以前报道过occ 1（occipital 1）在灵长类动物的初级视皮层中特异性表达。在这个术语中，我们发现occ 1在灵长类动物新皮层的兴奋性和抑制性神经元中都表达。然而，occ 1仅在灵长类动物的新皮层中表达，其表达具有活动依赖性和区域特异性。这表明occ 1表达的这些特征在灵长类进化过程中特异性地出现。2）我们使用限制性标记cDNA扫描（restriction landmark cDNA scanning，RLCS）在灵长类中寻找区域特异性基因，发现了一组在灵长类新皮层区域特异性表达的基因。我们目前正在分析这些基因。3）我们发现一种新的转录因子zfh-5的反义RNA在几个脑区以互补的方式表达。我们目前正在研究这种反义RNA表达的意义。4）与京都大学Yoshio Sakurai教授合作，我们改进了最初由Sakurai教授制作的大鼠视听辨别系统。在新系统中，从同一位置向大鼠提供不同的模式（光和声音），大鼠应该选择两种模式（正确的刺激）的特定组合来获得食物颗粒。利用这个系统，我们发现，当大鼠从清醒状态转移到睡眠状态时，额叶皮层的7-12 Hz振荡增加。我们目前正在研究大脑中哪些类型的细胞可能与这种现象有关。5）我们开发了一种轮子运行装置，要求大鼠调整挂钩的模式，以便在前面喝水。我们目前正在研究使用c-Fos映射技术来调整大鼠跑步模式变化的细胞类型。

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with professor Yoshio Sakurai, Kyoto University, we improved an audio-visual discrimination system in rats which was originally made by professor Sakurai.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.