Using genetically-defined rodent strains for the identification of hippocampal traits relevant for two-way avoidance behavior: a non-invasive approach

Summary Genetically-defined rodent strains permit the identification of hippocampal traits which are of functional relevance for the performance of two-way avoidance behavior. This is exemplified here by analyzing the relationship between infrapyramidal mossy fibers (a tiny projection terminating upon the basal dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal neurons) and two-way avoidance learning in about 800 animals. The necessary steps include 1) identification of structural traits sensitive to selective breeding for extremes in two-way avoidance, 2) testing the robustness of the associations found by studying individual and genetical correlations between hippocampal traits and behavior, 3) establishing causal relationships by Mendelian crossing of strains with extreme structural traits and studying the behavioral consequences of such structural randomization, 4) confirming causal relationships by manipulating the structural variable in inbred (isogenic) strains, thereby eliminating the possibility of genetic linkage, and 5) ruling out the possibility of spurious associations by studying the correlations between the hippocampal trait and other behaviors known to depend on hippocampal functioning.In comparison with the classical lesion approach for identifying relationships between brain and behavior, the present procedure appears to be superior in two aspects: it is non-invasive, and it focuses automatically on those brain traits which are used by natural selection to shape behaviorally-defined animal populations, i.e., it reveals the natural regulators of behavior.     

海马MF-CA3突触习得性LTP诱导后PPF效应的变化

采用电生理学与行为学结合的方法,通过慢性微电极埋植技术及双脉冲检测技术,观察大鼠海马MF-CA3突触在明暗辨别学习过程中形成习得性长时程增强（Long-term potentiation, LTP）后双脉冲易化（Paired-pulse facilitation, PPF）效应的变化. 结果表明：Mossy fibers-CA3（MF-CA3）突触习得性LTP形成前的PPF易化率为138.36%9.25%,形成后则为114.75%8.42%,差异极显著（p 0.01）,而基线对照组在长达7天的检测中,PPF易化率稳定在140%左右. 研究结果显示,MF-CA3突触的习得性LTP的表达可能与突触前递质释放的改变有关.     

慢性应激对小鼠空间学习记忆功能及海马和前额叶皮层BDNF表达的影响

采用多因素慢性应激动物模型,通过Morris水迷宫测试小鼠空间学习记忆能力;采用免疫组织化学方法检测脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）在海马和前额叶皮层的表达．结果显示,与对照组相比,应激组小鼠的空间学习记忆能力明显下降（P〈0．01）;应激组小鼠海马CA1区、齿状回和前额叶皮层BDNF表达明显下降（P〈0．01）;停止应激后一周,应激组小鼠BDNF在各脑区的表达有一定恢复,但与对照组相比,仍有显著性差异（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）．结果表明,慢性应激导致小鼠空间学习记忆功能的损伤可能与BDNF表达的下调密切相关．     

热应激对小鼠海马细胞构筑的影响

实验采用石蜡切片技术及尼氏染色法,探讨热应激对小鼠海马各区锥体细胞与颗粒细胞胞体形态结构及细胞数目的影响.结果显示:热应激组小鼠海马各区的锥体及颗粒细胞胞体面积较对照组均发生显著变化,其中热应激组海马CA3区锥体细胞胞体面积较对照组极显著变小(P相似文献   

低剂量铅对神经细胞粘附分子表达的影响研究

为了探讨神经细胞粘附分子(NCAM)在铅神经发育毒性中的作用,分别从体内、体外途径观察了低水平铅暴露对海马NCAM表达的影响。结果表明:铅明显抑制了海马神经元NCAM的表达,抑制程度随时间延长逐渐减弱,随剂量增加逐渐增强。提示:无论体内还是体外,低水平铅均显著抑制了Wistar大鼠海马NCAM的表达,并造成海马NCAM表达时程上的延迟。     

Effects of calcineurin on LTP of rats <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>

Calcineurin (CN) is thought to play a role in the synaptic plastivity and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. Based on two LTP models in vivo, a specific inhibitor cyclosporin A (CsA) of CN was observed, which affected LTP in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of the rats. The results indicated that CsA blocked LTP induced by high frequency stimulation (HFS) partly, but it had no effect on the decrease of the onset and peak latency of population spikes (PS) except that it reduced the increase of the amplitude after HFS. On the other hand, CsA blocked LTP induced by ginsenosides (GSS) completely. It suppressed the GSS-enhanced amplitude of PS reversibly and blocked the decrease of the peak latency of PS induced by the GSS. These results suggest that the postsynaptic CN plays a role in the induction of LTP in the hippocampus of the rats.     

Neurotrophic regulation of synapse development and plasticity

Neurotrophic factors are traditionally thought to be secretory proteins that regulate long-tern survival and differe, ntiation of neurons. Recent studies have revealed a previously unexpected role for these factors in synaptie de velopment ami plasticity in diverse neuronal populations. Here we review experimeuts carried oul in our own laboratory in the last few years.. We have made two important discoveries.First,we were among the first to report that brain-derived. neurotrophie faclor (BDNF) facilitates hippocampal hmg-term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plaslicity believed to be involved in learning and memory. BDNF modulates LTP al CAI synapses by enhaneing synaptic responses to high frequency, tetanic slimulalion. This is achieved primafily by facilitating synaptie vesicle doeking, possibly due to an in crease in the levels of the vesicle prolein synaptobrevin and synaptoplysin in the nerve terminals. Gene knockout study demonstrates thai the effects of BDNF are primarily mediated through presynaptic mechanisms. Second, we demonstrated a form of long-term, neurotrophin-mediated synaptic regulation. We showed that long-term treatment of the neuromuscu lar synapses with neurotrophin-3 (NT3) resulted in an enhancement of both spontaneous and evoked synaptic currcuts, as well as profound changes in thc number of synaptic varicosities and syuaptic vesicle proteins in motoneurons, all of which are indicative of more mature synapses. Our current work addresses the following issues:(i) activity-dependent trafficking of neurotrophin receptors, and its role in synapse-specific modulation; (ii) signal transduction mechanisms medialing the acute enhancement of synaplic transmission by neurotrophins; (iii) acute and long-tenn synaptie actions of the GDNF family; (iv) role of BDNF in late-phase LTP and in the development of hippocampal circuit.     

基于OFFGEL预分离二维液质联用技术在大鼠海马膜蛋白中的应用

以大鼠海马膜组分为研究对象,以等电聚焦OFFGEL为研究手段,结合反相液相色谱质谱联用技术,考察对酶切肽段的分离富集性能,同时结合DAVID分析工具对分离富集得到的酸性蛋白质进行的GO分析.结果表明,海马膜组分的酶切肽段经过OFFGEL分离后,得到24个不同馏分,每个馏分经过纳流液相色谱-质谱检测,发现有77% 的肽段专属于一个馏分,在酸性范围内的肽段等电点偏差较小,可以达到良好的聚焦效果;酸性蛋白的GO分析结果显示,质膜和物质的跨膜运输所占比例最大.OFFGEL作为一种预分离手段,可以应用于生物样品的大规模蛋白鉴定,在进一步蛋白质层面的生物功能研究中表现出良好的应用前景.     

急性应激对小鼠空间学习记忆功能及海马和前脑皮层c-Fos蛋白表达的影响

采用足底电击急性应激模型,通过旷场实验和Morris水迷宫实验分别测试小鼠的行为和空间学习记忆能力;以免疫组织化学方法检测c—Fos蛋白在海马和前脑皮层的表达．结果显示,与对照组小鼠比较,急性应激组小鼠在新异环境下的自发行为明显降低（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）,而在水迷宫实验中,急性应激组小鼠空间学习记忆能力明显提高（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）;与对照组小鼠比较,急性应激组小鼠海马CA1区、齿状回和前脑皮层c—Fos蛋白的表达在应激后1h明显增强（P〈0．05,P〈0．05,P〈0．01）．结果提示,急性应激所致小鼠空间学习记忆功能的改变可能与c—Fos蛋白表达的上调有关．