Insight from Lamprey Genome: Investigations of the GnRH-GTH System

该项目将强调研究大脑激素和受体的方法，这些方法通过激素基因组学和蛋白质组学的学科变得可用，并通过基础脊椎动物系统的知识来展示自己。基于以往和目前的发现，本研究将包括使用现有技术和开发互补分子技术的新研究，以部分地增加对脑和垂体激素和受体的分子和功能进化的理解和洞察。研究将集中于七鳃鳗脑促性腺激素释放激素和垂体促性腺激素的分子、生化和功能研究，以验证这些激素及其受体与后来进化的脊椎动物相比具有共同功能和发育特征的总体假设。本研究将从分子生物学、细胞生物学和系统生物学的角度研究以基因及其产物（激素、受体和信号分子）为代表的相互作用细胞网络中的修饰对生物功能的影响。这项研究已经并将包括研究生和本科生，他们将接受培训并参与该项目的各个方面。外展活动包括在不同类型的论坛上向公众介绍，例如每年的北海七鳃鳗欣赏日，以及与其他机构的研究人员合作。此外，PI和她的实验室将继续与新罕布什尔技术社区学院（NHCTC）的学生和工作人员以及新罕布什尔大学的学生合作。

This project will emphasize approaches to studying brain hormones and receptors that utilize new methodologies that are becoming available through the disciplines of hormonal genomics and proteomics, and presenting themselves through knowledge of basal vertebrate systems. Based on previous and present findings, this research will include novel studies using established techniques and developing complementary molecular techniques to, in part, increase the understanding and insight into the molecular and functional evolution of brain and pituitary hormones and receptors. The studies will focus on the molecular, biochemical and functional studies of brain gonadotropin releasing hormone and pituitary gonadotropins in lampreys to test the overall hypothesis that these hormones and their receptor(s) share common functional and developmental features compared to later evolved vertebrates. The research will examine the roles that modifications in interactive cellular networks, represented by genes and their products (hormones, receptors, and signaling molecules), have on biological function from the perspectives of molecular, cellular, and systems biology. This research has and will include graduate and undergraduate students who will be trained and involved in all aspects of this project. Outreach activities will include presentations to the general public at different kinds of forums such as the annual NH Sea Lamprey Appreciation Day as well as collaborations with investigators from other institutions. In addition, the PI and her laboratory will continue their collaborations with students and staff at New Hampshire Technical Community College (NHCTC) and students at UNH.