CELLULAR BASIS FOR STEROID ACTION IN AN EXCITABLE CELL

这项提议旨在了解性激素分泌的细胞机制 D 激素(雄激素、雌激素)改变由 电器官一种具有性二型电的鱼类的电器官 器官排出。本文所述的7个部分可以概括为 类固醇激素在生物物理学中的作用 这种组织的性质，特别是离子导电性。此外, 将对这些细胞进行形态分析，以确定 突触和棘膜，因为这将有助于解释 生物物理数据。还有一个叫做起搏器核的延髓核， 驱动电子琴的，将被调查其 在影响电子器官中的棘波波形中的潜在作用。 这项研究的意义是双重的。首先，通过了解如何 类固醇激素改变了可兴奋细胞的离子电导，这项工作 将填充性类固醇与行为之间的“黑匣子”。大家都知道 性类固醇结合在大脑中，并可能改变神经活性 ， 但它们的机制尚不清楚。因此，这可能对 理解荷尔蒙对行为的调节，也许还有性行为 功能障碍。另一个更普遍的观点是，这项工作将 阐明了一个基本问题，即可兴奋性如何 膜是可以调节的。

This proposal aims to understand the cellular mechanisms by which sex stero d hormones (androgens, estrogens) alter the waveshape of spikes generated by the electric organ in a species of fish with a sexually dimorphic electric organ discharge. The 7 sections described herein can be summarized as an attempt to describe the action of steroid hormones on the biophysical properties, specifically ion conductances, of this tissue. In addition, these cells will be analyzed morphologically to determine the extent of synaptic and spiking membrane as this will aid in the interpretation of the biophysical data. Also, a medullary nucleus, called the pacemaker nucleus, which drives the electric organ, will be investigated in terms of its potential role in influencing spike waveshape in the electric organ. The significance of this study is two fold. First, by understanding how steroid hormones alter the ion conductances of excitable cells, this work will fill in the "black-box" between sex steroids and behavior. It is know where sex steroids bind in the brain and that they may alter neural activit , but their mechanisms re unknown. Thus, this may be a benefit to an understanding of hormonal modulation of behavior and, perhaps, sexual dysfunction. The other, more general, point is that this work will illuminate the fundamental question of how excitability of an excitable membrane may be regulated.