Neuropeptide Modulation of a Vocal Motor Pathway

发声运动通路的神经肽调节首席研究员桑尼·K·博伊德，建议编号：0235903这项研究的长期目标是确定控制行为的化学信使之间的相互作用。肽和类固醇激素调节来自所有脊椎动物纲的代表性物种的社会行为。这些化合物的作用机制以及它们在大脑中作用于特定行为的位置尚不清楚。将在脊椎动物脑干中研究睾丸类固醇和神经肽精氨酸血管生成素的相互作用。三种实验方法将被用来评估这些相互作用在发声过程中的重要性，发声是许多物种社会行为的关键组成部分。首先，将通过分析在使用神经肽之前和之后的发声来测试神经肽对脑干的影响。其次，在细胞水平上是否满足必要的解剖学条件将通过轨迹追踪和多肽或受体双重标记来确定。第三，该项目将通过受体结合和电生理记录技术来确定脑干中的多肽受体是否具有功能。神经肽改变了脊椎动物的各种行为，包括亲代行为、攻击性行为和生殖行为。然而，人们对这些多肽在运动输出水平上的影响知之甚少。因此，这项研究计划的发现将为多肽控制行为的保守机制提供洞察力。这些研究将为本科生和研究生提供极好的培训，他们将获得生物、组织、细胞和分子水平的技能。这些项目还将通过两个机构项目培训高中科学教师和少数民族本科生。

Neuropeptide Modulation of a Vocal Motor PathwaySunny K. Boyd, Principal InvestigatorProposal Number: 0235903The long-term objective of this research program is to identify the interactions among chemical messengers that control behaviors. Peptide and steroid hormones regulate social behaviors in representative species from all vertebrate classes. The mechanisms of action of these compounds and the site in the brain where they act on specific behaviors are poorly understood. The interaction of testicular steroids and the neuropeptide arginine vasotocin will be investigated in the vertebrate brainstem. Three experimental approaches will be used to assess the importance of these interactions in generation of vocalizations, which are a critical component of social behavior in many species. First, neuropeptide effects on the brainstem will be tested by analyzing vocalizations prior to, and following, neuropeptide administration. Second, whether the necessary anatomical conditions are met at a cellular level will be determined with tract-tracing and peptide or receptor double-labeling. Third, this project will determine whether peptide receptors in the brainstem are functional with receptor binding and electrophysiological recording techniques. Neuropeptides alter a variety of vertebrate behaviors, including parental, aggressive, and reproductive behaviors. However, little is known about the effects of these peptides at the motor output level. Findings from this research program will thus offer insight into conserved mechanisms for peptide control of behavior. These studies will provide excellent training for undergraduate and graduate students who will acquire skills at the organismal, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. These projects will also train high school science teachers and minority undergraduates via two institutional programs.