BEHAVIORAL REGULATION OF NEUROENDOCRINE CELLS

描述(改编自申请人的摘要)：这是一份申请 RSDA二级奖项。这项研究调查了行为的影响 神经内分泌细胞功能的相互作用。具体地说，候选人 将研究与男性的互动对神经元产生的影响 雌性麝鼠促性腺激素释放激素的研究 Murinus)。与啮齿动物不同，麝鼠没有发情周期，大多数 生殖的某些方面是通过与雄性接触而产生的。交配会导致 包含以下内容的细胞数量急剧增加(50%) 脑内促性腺激素释放激素免疫反应(GnRH-ir)。 这种变化发生在位于嗅球的GnRH-ir细胞和 在雌性被引入后15分钟内 男性。15小时后GnRH多肽含量显著增加 可以在视前区、正中隆起和其他几个区域测量 大脑核团。伴随着GnRH-ir细胞数量的增加 大部分大脑区域。脑细胞数量和促性腺激素释放激素含量 不排卵的动物数量继续增加，但雌性动物的数量下降 对一次射精做出反应而排卵。数据表明， 行为触发特定细胞中促性腺激素释放激素多肽的产生 身体。这种含有GnRH的高度可塑性和戏剧性的反应 神经元对特定行为线索的作用以前从未报道过 哺乳动物。这些研究的目的是描述 激活GnRH神经元所需的感觉/行为输入。至 为了达到这个目标，应聘者将进行一系列的行为 研究并开发所需的去神经手术新方法 选定的感觉输入路径。一旦候选人指定了线索 影响神经内分泌功能，候选人将利用它们来 确定行为是否影响新基因的转录 留言。她将利用原位杂交和免疫细胞化学来 实现这些目标。众所周知，行为互动和 情绪状态会影响生育状况。行为实际上是如何 影响控制神经内分泌功能的神经元不太好 明白了。拟议的实验将建立一个模型来评估 行为对分子功能和表达的直接影响 调节所有哺乳动物生殖的细胞，通过它们产生 分泌促性腺激素释放激素。RSDA的支持将使候选人从教学和 行政职责。发布时间将用于获取新技能 在两位同事的实验室里，他们都是这些领域的专家。这个 只有当候选人收到了 需要接受现代神经生物学和分子技术方面的培训。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): This is a request for a RSDA level II award. The research investigates the affects of behavioral interactions on neuroendocrine cell functioning. Specifically the candidate will examine the impact of interactions with males on neurons that produce gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the female musk shrew (Suncus murinus). Musk shrews, unlike rodents, have no estrous cycle and most aspects of reproduction are induced by contact with males. Mating causes a dramatic (50%) increase in the numbers of cells that contain gonadotropin-releasing hormone immuno-reactivity (GnRH-ir) in the brain. This change occurs in GnRH-ir cells located in the olfactory bulb and rostral forebrain within 15 minutes after the females are introduced to males. Fifteen hours later significant increases in GnRH peptide content can be measured in the preoptic area, median eminence, and several other brain nuclei. This is accompanied by increased numbers of GnRH-ir cells in most brain regions. Cell numbers and GnRH content throughout the brain continue to increase in animals that do not ovulate, but drop in females that ovulate in response to a single ejaculation. The data suggests that behavior triggers increased production of GnRH peptide in specific cell bodies. This highly plastic and dramatic response of GnRH-containing neurons to specific behavioral cues has never been reported before in a mammal. The aims of these studies are to characterize the sensory/behavioral inputs that are required to activate GnRH neurons. To accomplish this goal the candidate will conduct a series of behavioral studies and then develop the required new surgical methods to denervate selected sensory input pathways. Once the candidate has specified the cues that affect neuroendocrine functioning the candidate will employ them to determine whether behavior affects the transcription of new genetic messages. She will employ in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry to accomplish these aims. It is well known that behavioral interactions and emotional state can affect reproductive status. How behaviors actually affect the neurons that control neuroendocrine function is not well understood. The proposed experiments would establish a model to assess the direct impact of behavior on the molecular functioning and expression of cells that regulate reproduction in all mammals via their ability to produce and secrete GnRH. RSDA support will free the candidate from teaching and administrative duties. The release time will be used to acquire new skills in the laboratories of two colleagues that are experts in these areas. The goals of this proposal can only be attained if the candidate received the needed training in modern neurobiological and molecular techniques.