Endocrine System Cross-Talk in Fish

内分泌系统的腺体/组织产生的激素是许多大规模生物过程的信号分子和关键调节剂（如性腺产生的性类固醇调节性发育、生殖和行为；甲状腺产生的甲状腺激素调节代谢、生长和发育；肾上腺/肾间细胞产生的皮质类固醇调节应激反应和蛋白质、脂质和碳水化合物的代谢）。内分泌轴相互作用或串扰（如激素活性、合成、分泌、降解、运输或受体活性的调节）可能有助于协调和调节这些关键的生物过程。事实上，越来越多的证据表明，在多个脊椎动物分类群中，一个内分泌轴的激素会影响其他内分泌轴（即串扰）。然而，文献中普遍存在物种内部和物种之间相互矛盾的结果，因此有必要进一步研究确定脊椎动物内分泌轴之间相互作用的程度和机制。该研究计划的长期目标是描述鱼类的三个主要脊椎动物神经内分泌轴，即生殖轴、甲状腺轴和应激轴之间的相互作用或串扰。这些研究将有可能发现内源性脊椎动物激素的扩展作用，并将获得关键数据，以更好地了解生殖、甲状腺和应激内分泌轴之间的串扰程度。短期目标是：1)在发育过程中甲状腺和性类固醇激素水平改变的情况下，研究体内甲状腺、生殖和应激内分泌轴的分子和机体水平变化；2)确定性腺和肾间内分泌腺/组织的激素合成是否为内分泌轴串扰的靶点。为了实现这些短期目标，将采用虹鳟鱼（一种模型鲑鱼）进行体外和体内研究。这一研究项目将显著推动内分泌学领域的发展。这项新颖的工作将通过提供对内分泌轴之间复杂的串扰的见解，加深对硬骨鱼内分泌系统的理解。该计划的总体方法和方法也通过推进我们对导致整个生物体水平结果的分子和细胞事件之间联系的知识，解决了与许多生物学学科相关的知识差距。最后，鉴于内分泌系统在脊椎动物分类群中的高度保守性，发现调节和整合内分泌系统各方面的新信号通路、分子和过程的意义可能不仅适用于非哺乳动物脊椎动物，也适用于哺乳动物脊椎动物。

Glands/tissues of the endocrine system produce hormones that are signaling molecules and key regulators of many large-scale biological process (e.g. sex steroids produced in the gonads regulate sexual development, reproduction and behavior; thyroid hormones [THs] produced in the thyroid gland regulate metabolism, growth and development; and, corticosteroids produced in the adrenal/interrenal cells regulate the stress response and metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates). There are many potential targets for endocrine axes interactions or cross-talk (e.g. modulation of hormone activity, synthesis, secretion, degradation, transport or receptor activity) that may contribute to the coordination and regulation of these critical biological processes. Indeed there is mounting evidence that hormones of one endocrine axis influence other endocrine axes (i.e. cross-talk) in multiple vertebrate taxa. However, conflicting results within and between species are prevalent in the literature, thus further research to determine the magnitude and mechanism(s) underlying the interactions between endocrine axes in vertebrates is warranted. The long-term objective of the proposed research program is to characterize the interactions or cross-talk between the three major vertebrate neuroendocrine axes, namely, the reproductive, thyroid and stress axes in fish. These studies will potentially discover expanded roles for endogenous vertebrate hormones, and will derive critical data to better understand the extent of cross-talk between the reproductive, thyroid and stress endocrine axes. The short-term objectives are: 1) characterize a variety of thyroid, reproductive and stress endocrine axes molecular and organismal level changes in vivo under altered thyroid and sex steroid hormone status during development; and, 2) determine whether hormone synthesis in the gonad and interrenal endocrine glands/tissues are targets for endocrine axes cross-talk. To accomplish these short-term goals, in vitro and in vivo studies using rainbow trout, a model salmonid, will be employed. This research program will significantly advance the field of endocrinology. This novel work will develop a deeper understanding of the teleost endocrine system by providing insights into the complicated cross-talk between endocrine axes. The overall methods and approach of this program also addresses a knowledge gap relevant to many biological disciplines by advancing our knowledge of the link between molecular and cellular events that lead to whole organism level outcomes. Lastly, in light of the high conservation of the endocrine system across vertebrate taxa the implications of discovering novel signaling pathways, molecules and processes that modulate and integrate various aspects of the endocrine system may not only apply to non-mammalian vertebrates but mammalian vertebrates as well.