Dissertation Research: The role of deltaFosB in social behaviors of the monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster)

一夫一妻制的特点是对特定伴侣形成强烈的、有选择性的偏好(“配对结合”)。配对结合与许多行为和生理上的重大变化有关；然而，这些变化的机制并不完全清楚。这项研究将探索一夫一妻制啮齿动物草原田鼠(Microtus Ochrogaster)社会行为中神经适应的潜在细胞机制。具体地说，这些研究将集中在一种独特的蛋白质--Delta-FosB上，它已经成为一种潜在的分子‘开关’，调节大脑的长期适应。这种蛋白质已被证明在反复接触药物、食物强化和跑轮的动物的大脑中积累。然而，这种蛋白质在自然主义、物种典型行为中的作用还没有得到很好的描述。这项拟议的研究包括三个目标：1)研究在形成和维持一种配对纽带后，Delta-FosB在大脑中的积累；2)探索大脑中Delta-FosB水平的增加是否促进了一夫一妻制草原田鼠的配对纽带的形成；以及3)研究由于社会分离(一种慢性应激源和“悲伤”的模型)而导致的特定区域的Delta-FosB积累。这项研究旨在扩大对社会行为的进化和神经生物学的理解。这项研究还将使我们了解人类的依恋、悲伤和哀悼的生物学，因为社会关系是人类行为的关键组成部分。最后，这项研究将为一名女研究生和多名本科生提供神经科学方面的培训。

Monogamy is characterized by the formation of strong and selective preferences for a specific partner ("pair-bonding"). Pair-bonding is associated with a number of significant changes in both behavior and physiology; however, the mechanisms for these changes are not completely understood. This research will explore a potential cellular mechanism for neural adaptations involved in the social behavior of a monogamous rodent, the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). Specifically, the studies will focus on a unique protein, delta-FosB, which has emerged as a potential molecular 'switch' mediating long-term adaptations in the brain. This protein has been shown to accumulate in the brains of animals that are repeatedly exposed to drugs, food-reinforcement and wheel-running. However, the role of this protein in naturalistic, species-typical behavior is not well characterized. The proposed research consists of three goals: 1) examine delta-FosB accumulation in the brain following the formation and maintenance of a pair bond, 2) explore whether increasing levels of delta-FosB in the brain facilitates pair bond formation in the monogamous prairie vole, and 3) examine region-specific delta-FosB accumulation as a result of social separation (a chronic stressor and model of 'grief'). This study is designed to expand understanding of the evolution and neurobiology of social behavior. This research will also inform our understanding of the biology of attachment, grief and mourning in humans, as social bonds are a critical component of human behavior. Finally, this research will provide training in neuroscience for a female graduate student and multiple undergraduates.