MCAA: Development of Laboratory Skills in Molecular Biology to Examine Patterns of Calcitonin and Calcitonin Receptor Gene Expression in Cartilaginous Fishes.

MCAA：研究软骨鱼中降钙素和降钙素受体基因表达模式的分子生物学实验室技能的发展。降钙素激素以其减少哺乳动物骨骼脱矿的能力而闻名，因此，它经常被用于患有骨质疏松症、佩吉特病或类似骨骼疾病的患者。然而，尽管它对骨骼疾病有治疗价值，越来越多的证据表明，降钙素的真正生理功能可能是调节脊椎动物繁殖的某些方面。最近，PI已经证明了类似的证据，表明降钙素在调节鲨鱼和鳐鱼怀孕期间的事件中起作用，鲨鱼和鳐鱼是已知的拥有鳃末腺的最古老的活着的脊椎动物群体，鳃末腺是降钙素产生的地方。在这个项目中，PI将接受新的分子生物学培训，通过检查降钙素和降钙素受体基因在妊娠雌性鳐鱼及其后代中的表达模式，阐明降钙素在蛛形纲繁殖中的作用。在佛罗里达大学跨学科生物技术研究中心完成为期3周的密集分子生物学、蛋白质化学和生物信息学培训课程后，PI和两名实习生将利用RT-PCR、Northern blot分析和原位杂交来确定：1)该物种在怀孕期间出现的鳃末腺活性增加是否反映了降钙素产生的变化；2)鳃末腺以外的组织合成降钙素；3)降钙素受体在哪里表达，以及这些表达模式在繁殖过程中是否发生变化。通过获得这些信息，本项目将显著推进对软骨鱼生殖生理和内分泌功能以及降钙素在脊椎动物中的作用的认识。此外，这项拨款支持的培训和实验室仪器将加强PI实验室的研究基础设施和学生培训机会。PI是一名土生土长的太平洋岛民研究员，他对自己的研究领域和本科科学教育，特别是对服务不足的少数群体的科学教育，都做出了重大贡献。

MCAA: Development of laboratory skills in molecular biology to examine patterns of calcitonin and calcitonin receptor gene expression in cartilaginous fishes. Principal Investigator: James GelsleichterThe hormone calcitonin is best known for its ability to reduce bone demineralization in mammals and, as a result of this action, it is regularly administered to patients experiencing osteoporosis, Paget's disease, or similar skeletal maladies. However, despite its therapeutic value for skeletal diseases, a growing body of evidence has suggested that the true physiological function of calcitonin may be to regulate certain aspects of vertebrate reproduction. Recently, the PI has demonstrated similar evidence of a role for calcitonin in regulating events during pregnancy in live-bearing sharks and rays, the oldest living vertebrate group known to possess the ultimobranchial gland, the site of calcitonin production. In this project, the PI will receive new training in molecular biology, which will clarify the roles of calcitonin in elasmobranch reproduction by examining patterns of calcitonin and calcitonin receptor gene expression in gravid female rays and their offspring. Following completion of an intensive, 3-week training course in molecular biology, protein chemistry, and bioinformatics at the University of Florida's Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, the PI and two student interns will utilize RT-PCR, Northern blot analysis, and in situ hybridization to determine: 1) if increases in ultimobranchial gland activity previously shown to occur during pregnancy in this species reflect changes in calcitonin production; 2) if tissues other than the ultimobranchial gland synthesize calcitonin; and 3) where calcitonin receptors are expressed and if these expression patterns change during reproduction. By obtaining this information, this project will significantly advance knowledge regarding both reproductive physiology and endocrine function in the cartilaginous fishes and the role of calcitonin in vertebrates. Furthermore, both the training and laboratory instrumentation supported by this grant will enhance the infrastructure for research and student training opportunities in the PI's laboratory. The PI is a Native Pacific Islander researcher who makes significant contributions to both his field of study and undergraduate science education, especially that for underserved minority groups.