Investigation on coordinate regulation of reproduction and related behaviors by kisspeptin neuronal system

在本研究中，为了揭示脊椎动物中kisspeptin神经元调控的新神经元回路，我用GFP可视化了kisspeptin受体表达的神经元，并在medaka中对GFP阳性神经元进行了RNAseq。结果表明，被认为参与摄食行为和体内平衡的肽能神经元表达kisspeptin受体。通过原位杂交对GFP和某种神经递质mRNA的双标记，证实了上述推测。电生理检查显示，kisspeptin合成肽使这些表达kisspeptin受体的神经元去极化。由于肽能神经元如异肽素和血管催产素神经元表达kisspeptin受体，利用TALEN技术敲除这些递质细胞系。这些神经回路的进一步检查将通过更详细的电生理学检查，利用产生的基因敲除和转基因medaka系。

In this study, to unveil the novel neuronal circuits that are regulated by kisspeptin neurons in vertebrates, I visualized kisspeptin receptor-expressing neurons with GFP, and performed RNAseq of GFP positive neurons in medaka. It was shown that the peptidergic neurons that are suggested to be involved in feeding behavior and homeostasis are expressing kisspeptin receptor. These suggestion were finally confirmed by double labeling of GFP and mRNA of a certain neurotransmitter by in situ hybridization. Following electrophysiological examination showed that kisspepitn synthetic peptide depolarize these kisspeptin receptor expressing neurons. As peptidergic neurons such as isotocin and vasotocin neurons were shown to express kisspeptin receptor, knockout medaka lines of these transmitters by using TALEN technology. Further examination of these neural circuits will be examined by more detailed electrophysiology utilizing the generated knockout and transgenic medaka lines.