Cloning and Functional Characterization of an Avian Pituitary Gland Vasotocin Receptor

脊椎动物的下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴对应激反应的调节很重要，主要是通过垂体释放促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）， ACTH反过来刺激肾上腺释放类固醇糖皮质激素。在鸟类中，调节水分平衡和繁殖的肽化合物精氨酸血管催产素（AVT）可能是调节垂体释放ACTH的主要因素，尽管这种功能在鸟类中尚未得到很好的定义。本课题验证了垂体内特定细胞表达一种新的VT受体分子，并介导AVT对ACTH释放的刺激作用。一个具有互补技能的合作团队将利用分子，细胞，生化和行为方法进行独特的综合比较研究，克隆和表征这种新型受体，定位表达受体的细胞，并确定VT受体的生理作用。研究结果将在神经内分泌学中对理解除哺乳动物以外的脊椎动物垂体功能的比较方面具有重要意义；对应激调节的分子、细胞和行为机制有全面的了解；以及家禽繁殖的一般方面。它还将对鸟类生理学、一般脊椎动物内分泌学和生殖行为产生更广泛的影响。这也对科学基础设施产生了强烈的影响，因为该项目有一个培训组成部分，包括研究生和本科生，并且涉及EPSCoR州的三个校园。

The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in vertebrate animals is important for regulation of responses to stress, chiefly by release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary, which in turn stimulates release of steroid glucocorticoids from the adrenal glands. In birds, the peptide compound arginine vasotocin (AVT), which regulates water balance and reproduction, may be a major factor regulating ACTH release from the pituitary gland, though this function has not yet been well defined in birds. This project tests the hypothesis that a novel VT receptor molecule is expressed by certain cells in the pituitary, and mediates the stimulatory effect of AVT on ACTH release. A collaborative team with complementary skills will use molecular, cellular, biochemical and behavioral approaches in a uniquely integrative, comparative study to clone and characterize this novel receptor, to localize the cells expressing the receptors, and to establish the physiological role for the VT receptors. Results will be important in neuroendocrinology for understanding comparative aspects of pituitary function in vertebrates other than mammals; for an integrated understanding of molecular, cellular and behavioral mechanisms for stress regulation; and for general aspects of poultry reproduction. It will also have a broader impact on bird physiology, on general vertebrate endocrinology and reproductive behavior. There is also a strong impact on scientific infrastructure because the project has a training component including graduates and undergraduates, and involves three campuses in an EPSCoR state.