scholarly journals Physiological consequences of social descent: studies in Astatotilapia burtoni

2006 ◽  
Vol 190 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria N Parikh ◽  
Tricia Clement ◽  
Russell D Fernald
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Complete Regression ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Reproductive Regulation ◽  
Astatotilapia Burtoni ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Social Suppression

In many species, social interactions regulate reproductive capacity, although the exact mechanisms of such regulation are unclear. Since social stress is often related to reproductive regulation, we measured the physiological signatures of change in reproductive state as they relate to short-term stress and the stress hormone cortisol. We used an African cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni, with two distinct, reversible male phenotypes: dominant (territorial, T) males that are larger, more brightly colored, more aggressive, and reproductively competent and non-dominant males (non-territorial, NT) that are smaller, camouflage colored, and have regressed gonads. Male status, and hence reproductive competence, depends on social experience in this system. Specifically, if a T male is placed among larger male fish, it quickly becomes NT in behavior and coloration, but complete regression of its reproductive axis takes ca. 3 weeks (White et al. 2002). Reproduction in all vertebrates is controlled by the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis in which the key signaling molecule from the brain to the pituitary is GnRH1. Here, we subjected T males to territory loss, a social manipulation which results in status descent. We measured the effects of this status change in levels of circulating cortisol and testosterone as well as mRNA levels of GnRH1 and GnRH receptor-1 (GnRH-R1) in the brain and pituitary, respectively. Following short-term social suppression (4 h), no change was observed in plasma cortisol level, GnRH1 mRNA expression, GnRH-R1 mRNA expression, or plasma testosterone level. However, following a somewhat longer social suppression (24 h), cortisol and GnRH1 mRNA levels were significantly increased, and testosterone levels were significantly decreased. These results suggest that in the short run, deposed T males essentially mount a neural ‘defense’ against loss of status.

Pup contact induces the expression of long form prolactin receptor mRNA in the brain of female rats: effects of ovariectomy and hypophysectomy on receptor gene expression

1996 ◽  
Vol 149 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Sugiyama ◽  
H Minoura ◽  
N Toyoda ◽  
K Sakaguchi ◽  
M Tanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Choroid Plexus ◽  
Prolactin Receptor ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Long Form ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Prolactin receptor (PRL-R) mRNA expression levels in the female rat brain (cerebrum) during pup contact stimulation were determined by the reverse transcription-PCR method. The high expression levels of long form PRL-R mRNA found in the brain of lactating rats were markedly reduced by removal of pups, and long form PRL-R mRNA levels were recovered by resumption of pup contact. Interestingly, pup contact stimuli of nulliparous virgin rats also markedly induced long form but not short form PRL-R mRNA expression in the brain in 1·3 days, together with the expression of maternal behaviour. In ovariectomized (OVX) or hypophysectomized (HYPOX) virgin rats, or in OVX plus HYPOX virgin rats, however, brain long form PRL-R mRNA was not significantly induced by pup contact stimuli for as long as 7 days, while maternal behaviour was fully expressed in these rats after 7 days of pup contact. The in situ hybridization experiments revealed that the long form PRL-R mRNA induced in virgin rats in contact with pups or in lactating rats was localized in the epithelial cells of the choroid plexus. No significant increase in mRNA was detected in other regions of the brain, such as the hypothalamus or cortex, in these maternal female rats. These results suggest that pup contact induces the expression of long form PRL-R mRNA in the choroid plexus of the brain in the presence of female sex steroid and pituitary hormones for the rapid expression of maternal behaviour. Our studies also suggested that maternal behaviour can be expressed in OVX or HYPOX rats after exposure to pups for 7 days without any significant increase in brain PRL-R mRNA expression. Journal of Endocrinology (1996) 149, 335–340

scholarly journals Responses of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity related genes to elevated CO 2 levels in the brain of three teleost species

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 20170240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Floriana Lai ◽  
Cathrine E. Fagernes ◽  
Nicholas J. Bernier ◽  
Gabrielle M. Miller ◽  
Philip L. Munday ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Specific Regulation ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Mrna Expression Levels

The continuous increase of anthropogenic CO 2 in the atmosphere resulting in ocean acidification has been reported to affect brain function in some fishes. During adulthood, cell proliferation is fundamental for fish brain growth and for it to adapt in response to external stimuli, such as environmental changes. Here we report the first expression study of genes regulating neurogenesis and neuroplasticity in brains of three-spined stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus ), cinnamon anemonefish ( Amphiprion melanopus ) and spiny damselfish ( Acanthochromis polyacanthus ) exposed to elevated CO 2 . The mRNA expression levels of the neurogenic differentiation factor (NeuroD) and doublecortin (DCX) were upregulated in three-spined stickleback exposed to high-CO 2 compared with controls, while no changes were detected in the other species. The mRNA expression levels of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) remained unaffected in the high-CO 2 exposed groups compared to the control in all three species. These results indicate a species-specific regulation of genes involved in neurogenesis in response to elevated ambient CO 2 levels. The higher expression of NeuroD and DCX mRNA transcripts in the brain of high-CO 2 –exposed three-spined stickleback, together with the lack of effects on mRNA levels in cinnamon anemonefish and spiny damselfish, indicate differences in coping mechanisms among fish in response to the predicted-future CO 2 level.

scholarly journals Exploring the mRNA expression level of RELN in peripheral blood of schizophrenia patients before and after antipsychotic treatment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajun Yin ◽  
Yana Lu ◽  
Shui Yu ◽  
Zhanzhan Dai ◽  
Fuquan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Quantitative Real Time Pcr ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background: The Reelin (RELN) gene encodes the protein reelin, which is a large extracellular matrix glycoprotein that plays a key role in brain development. Additionally, this protein may be involved in memory formation, neurotransmission, and synaptic plasticity, which have been shown to be disrupted in schizophrenia (SCZ). A decreasing trend in the expression of RELN mRNA in the brain and peripheral blood of SCZ patients has been observed. There is a need to determine whether changes in RELN mRNA expression in SCZ patients are the result of long-term antipsychotic treatment rather than the etiological characteristics of schizophrenia. The expression levels of RELN mRNA in the peripheral blood of 48 healthy controls and 30 SCZ patients before and after 12-weeks of treatment were measured using quantitative real-time PCR.Results: The expression levels of RELN mRNA in the SCZ group were significantly lower than that of healthy controls; however, after 12-weeks of antipsychotic treatment, RELN mRNA levels were significantly increased in the SCZ group.Conclusion: The up-regulation of RELN mRNA expression was current in SCZ patients after antipsychotic treatment, suggesting that the changes in RELN mRNA expression were related to the effect of the antipsychotic treatment.

scholarly journals The effect of cannabinoids on APP, BACE1, and ApoE mRNA expression

SURG Journal ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Navjit Brar
Keyword(s):  
Amyloid Precursor Protein ◽  
Apolipoprotein E ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Cb1 Receptor ◽  
Precursor Protein ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
Apoe Mrna ◽  
The Brain

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative condition associated with cognitive decline. The pathological hallmark of this disease is the deposition of β-amyloid protein plaques (Aβ) in the brain, which evoke neuronal cell death and impair inter-neuronal communication. Past studies have suggested that cannabinoids reduce the levels of Aβ in the brain; however, little is known about the mechanisms involved in this process. In this study, the SH-SY5Y cell line was first examined for expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP), beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), and apolipoprotein E (ApoE), genes involved in Aβ production and clearance. All three genes were expressed and detected in the cell line. We then observed the effects of the endocannabinoid anandamide, a CB1 receptor agonist, on the mRNA expression of APP, BACE1, and ApoE in SH-SY5Y cells. After 48h exposure to anandamide, mRNA levels of APP and BACE1 significantly decreased, which could contribute to reduced Aβ levels. The mechanism of action by which anandamide reduces mRNA levels of APP and BACE1 should be further investigated. ApoE mRNA levels were not found to be significantly changed, suggesting that anandamide does not affect mRNA expression of this gene. The effects of cannabinoids on ApoE levels should be further studied as the effects may occur at a level different from mRNA expression and may even occur via a pathway unrelated to CB1 receptor activation. Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; β-amyloid; anandamide; amyloid precursor protein; beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1; apolipoprotein E

scholarly journals Plasticity of the Reproductive Axis Caused by Social Status Change in an African Cichlid Fish: I. Pituitary Gonadotropins

Endocrinology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 281-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen P. Maruska ◽  
Berta Levavi-Sivan ◽  
Jakob Biran ◽  
Russell D. Fernald
Keyword(s):  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Status Change ◽  
African Cichlid ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Reproductive Axis ◽  
Tightly Coupled ◽  
Astatotilapia Burtoni ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Social position in a dominance hierarchy is often tightly coupled with fertility. Consequently, an animal that can recognize and rapidly take advantage of an opportunity to rise in rank will have a reproductive advantage. Reproduction in all vertebrates is controlled by the brain-pituitary-gonad axis, and in males of the African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni, GnRH1 neurons at the apex of this axis are under social control. However, little is known about how quickly social information is transformed into functional reproductive change, or about how socially controlled changes in GnRH1 neurons influence downstream actions of the brain-pituitary-gonad axis. We created an opportunity for reproductively suppressed males to ascend in status and then measured how quickly the perception of this opportunity caused changes in mRNA and protein levels of the pituitary gonadotropins. mRNA levels of the β-subunits of LH and FSH rose rapidly in the pituitary 30 min after suppressed males perceived an opportunity to ascend. In contrast, mRNA levels of GnRH receptor-1 remained unchanged during social transition but were higher in stable dominant compared with subordinate males. In the circulation, levels of both LH and FSH were also quickly elevated. There was a positive correlation between mRNA in the pituitary and circulating protein levels for LH and FSH, and both gonadotropins were positively correlated with plasma 11-ketotestosterone. Our results show that the pituitary is stimulated extremely rapidly after perception of social opportunity, probably to allow suppressed males to quickly achieve reproductive success in a dynamic social environment.

scholarly journals A High-Resolution In Vivo Atlas of the Human Brain’s Benzodiazepine Binding Site of GABAA Receptors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Nørgaard ◽  
Vincent Beliveau ◽  
Melanie Ganz ◽  
Claus Svarer ◽  
Lars H Pinborg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Human Brain ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
The Brain

ABSTRACTGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human brain and plays a key role in several brain functions and neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, epilepsy, and depression. The binding of benzodiazepines to the benzodiazepine receptor sites (BZR) located on GABAA receptors (GABAARs) potentiates the inhibitory effect of GABA leading to the anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sedative effects used for treatment of those disorders. However, the function of GABAARs and the expression of BZR protein is determined by the GABAAR subunit stoichiometry (19 genes coding for individual subunits), and it remains to be established how the pentamer composition varies between brain regions and individuals.Here, we present a quantitative high-resolution in vivo atlas of the human brain BZRs, generated on the basis of [11C]flumazenil Positron Emission Tomography (PET) data. Next, based on autoradiography data, we transform the PET-generated atlas from binding values into BZR protein density. Finally, we examine the brain regional association with mRNA expression for the 19 subunits in the GABAAR, including an estimation of the minimally required expression of mRNA levels for each subunit to translate into BZR protein.This represents the first publicly available quantitative high-resolution in vivo atlas of the spatial distribution of BZR densities in the healthy human brain. The atlas provides a unique neuroscientific tool as well as novel insights into the association between mRNA expression for individual subunits in the GABAAR and the BZR density at each location in the brain.

scholarly journals Exploring the mRNA expression level of RELN in peripheral blood of schizophrenia patients before and after antipsychotic treatment

Hereditas ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 157 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajun Yin ◽  
Yana Lu ◽  
Shui Yu ◽  
Zhanzhan Dai ◽  
Fuquan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Quantitative Real Time Pcr ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background The Reelin (RELN) gene encodes the protein reelin, which is a large extracellular matrix glycoprotein that plays a key role in brain development. Additionally, this protein may be involved in memory formation, neurotransmission, and synaptic plasticity, which have been shown to be disrupted in schizophrenia (SCZ). A decreasing trend in the expression of RELN mRNA in the brain and peripheral blood of SCZ patients has been observed. There is a need to determine whether changes in RELN mRNA expression in SCZ patients are the result of long-term antipsychotic treatment rather than the etiological characteristics of schizophrenia. The expression levels of RELN mRNA in the peripheral blood of 48 healthy controls and 30 SCZ patients before and after 12-weeks of treatment were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Results The expression levels of RELN mRNA in the SCZ group were significantly lower than that of healthy controls; however, after 12-weeks of antipsychotic treatment, RELN mRNA levels were significantly increased in the SCZ group. Conclusion The up-regulation of RELN mRNA expression was current in SCZ patients after antipsychotic treatment, suggesting that the changes in RELN mRNA expression were related to the effect of the antipsychotic treatment.

scholarly journals Exploring the mRNA Expression Level of RELN in Peripheral Blood of Schizophrenia Patients Before and After Antipsychotic Treatment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajun Yin ◽  
Yana Lu ◽  
Shui Yu ◽  
Zhanzhan Dai ◽  
Fuquan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Quantitative Real Time Pcr ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background: The Reelin (RELN) gene encodes the protein reelin, which is a large extracellular matrix glycoprotein that plays a key role in brain development. Additionally, this protein may be involved in memory formation, neurotransmission, and synaptic plasticity, which have been shown to be disrupted in schizophrenia (SCZ). A decreasing trend in the expression of RELN mRNA in the brain and peripheral blood of SCZ patients has been observed. There is a need to determine whether changes in RELN mRNA expression in SCZ patients are the result of long-term antipsychotic treatment rather than the etiological characteristics of schizophrenia. The expression levels of RELN mRNA in the peripheral blood of 48 healthy controls and 30 SCZ patients before and after 12-weeks of treatment were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The expression levels of RELN mRNA in the SCZ group were significantly lower than that of healthy controls; however, after 12-weeks of antipsychotic treatment, RELN mRNA levels were significantly increased in the SCZ group.Conclusion: The up-regulation of RELN mRNA expression was concurrent with the improvement of symptoms in SCZ patients after antipsychotic treatment, suggesting that the changes in RELN mRNA expression were related to the effect of the antipsychotic treatment.

scholarly journals Regulation of GH secretagogue receptor gene expression in the rat nodose ganglion

2007 ◽  
Vol 194 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miho Sato ◽  
Keiko Nakahara ◽  
Mikiya Miyazato ◽  
Kenji Kangawa ◽  
Noboru Murakami
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Nodose Ganglion ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Ghrelin Receptor ◽  
Axon Terminals ◽  
Gastrointestinal Peptides ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Receptor Gene Expression

It has been shown that the ghrelin receptor, GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), is synthesized in neurons of the nodose ganglion and then transmitted to axon terminals, where it binds to ghrelin. The orexigenic signal of ghrelin secreted from the stomach is transmitted to the brain via the vagal afferent nerve. To explore the regulation of GHS-R synthesis in the nodose ganglion, we examined whether or not GHS-R type a mRNA expression shows circadian rhythm, and is affected by starvation, vagotomy, or i.v. administration of gastrointestinal peptides. Nodose ganglion GHS-R mRNA levels showed a diurnal rhythm, being high during periods of light and low during darkness. Although starvation tended to increase the level of GHS-R mRNA, a more significant increase was observed upon re-feeding. Vagotomy decreased the level of GHS-R mRNA significantly in comparison with animals that underwent a sham procedure. Cholecystokinin and gastrin increased the level of GHS-R mRNA after 2 h, but after 4 h, the level decreased. These results suggest that GHS-R synthesis in the nodose ganglion is regulated centrally and peripherally by neuronal and humoral information, and that these dynamic changes of GHS-R mRNA expression may be involved in the regulation of feeding by ghrelin.

scholarly journals Gnrh mRNA expression in the brain of cooperatively breeding female Damaraland mole-rats

Reproduction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 153 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelia Voigt ◽  
Nigel C Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Anterior Hypothalamus ◽  
Subterranean Rodent ◽  
Mole Rat ◽  
Hybridisation Signal ◽  
Reproductive Females ◽  
Caudal Level ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Social Suppression

The Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis) is a eusocial, subterranean rodent, in which breeding is limited to a single reproductive pair within each colony. Non-reproductive females, while in the confines of the colony, exhibit socially induced infertility. Anovulation is thought to be caused by a disruption in the normal gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GNRH) secretion from the hypothalamus. To assess whether social suppression is associated with alteredGnrhmRNA expression in the brain, we investigated the distribution and gene expression levels by means ofin situhybridization in female breeders and non-breeders from field captured colonies of the Damaraland mole-rat. We found expression ofGnrhmRNA as a loose network in several forebrain areas of female Damaraland mole-rats with the majority of labelling in the preoptic and anterior hypothalamus. The distribution matched previous findings using immunocytochemistry in this and other social mole-rat species. Quantification of the hybridisation signal revealed no difference between breeding and non-breeding females in the average optical density of the hybridization signal and the size of the total area covered byGnrhmRNA. However, analysis along the rostro-caudal axis revealed significantly elevatedGnrhmRNA expression in the rostral preoptic region of breeders compared to non-breeders, whereas the latter had increasedGnrhmRNA expression at the caudal level of the anterior hypothalamus. This study indicates that social suppression affects the expression ofGnrhmRNA in female Damaraland mole-rats. Furthermore, differential regulation occurs within different neuron subpopulations.

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