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.     

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.     

自愿转轮运动对抑郁模型大鼠学习记忆能力及海马齿状回一氧化氮合酶表达的影响

目的：观察4周自愿转轮运动对慢性应激致抑郁大鼠绝望行为及空间学习记忆能力和海马DG区nNOS表达的影响.方法：30只SD大鼠随机分为对照组、应激模型组及应激运动组,应激模型组及应激运动组大鼠建立慢性不可预见性应激（chronic unpredictable mild stress,CUMS）抑郁模型,同时应激运动组大鼠进行4周自愿转轮运动.运动及应激结束后通过强迫游泳实验及八臂迷宫实验等方法测试大鼠行为学指标变化,免疫组织化学法检测大鼠海马DG区nNOS神经元的表达.结果：（1）与对照组相比,慢性应激致抑郁大鼠强迫游泳实验中大鼠不动时间延长,八臂迷宫实验中应激大鼠完成八臂迷宫时间显著延长,工作记忆错误次数、参考记忆错误次数及总记忆错误次数均显著增加;海马DG区nNOS表达显著增强.（2）与应激模型组比较,应激运动组大鼠强迫游泳实验中大鼠不动时间缩短,八臂迷宫实验中应激运动组大鼠完成八臂迷宫时间显著缩短,参考记忆错误次数及总记忆错误次数均显著减少,海马DG区nNOS表达减弱.结论：自愿转轮运动可改善抑郁模型大鼠的绝望行为、提高大鼠学习记忆能力,机理可能与长期自愿转轮运动减弱抑郁大鼠海马DG区nNOS表达导致NO神经毒性减弱有关.     

动物行为研究的新进展（四）：食物贮藏与计划未来

动物前脑大小与觅食创新之间存在着神经生物学联系,通常是前脑越大觅食创新能力越强,觅食创新能力可大大提高鸟类的食物摄取率,从而对鸟类的生存和生殖有利。松鸦具有令人难以置信的记忆力,它常常为了未来的需要而贮藏大量的食物,并能在以后重新找到它们。当检查贮藏食物的行为与脑海马大小之间关系的时候,发现很多鸟类都表现出极明显的正相关关系,海马体积越大,贮食行为就越发达,这表明海马的大小是鸦科鸟类空间记忆力和觅食行为进化的关键因素。鸦科鸟类的祖先是适度贮藏食物者,这就是说,原始鸦科鸟类中的一些物种朝着专化贮藏食物者的方向进化,而另一些种类则走向了完全丧失贮藏食物的能力。通过观察和巧妙的实验,现已证实动物确实具有计划未来的能力。     

大鼠海马发育过程中CRMPs家族mRNA的表达

目的:探讨大鼠海马发育过程中坍塌反应调节蛋白(CRMPs)家族mRNA的表达规律.方法:用RT-PCR方法检测大鼠发育不同阶段CRMPs家族mRNA的表达.结果:RT-PCR实际扩增长度与设计长度相吻合.内参照β-actin电泳条带在发育各时期灰度无明显差异.CRMP-1 mRNA以新生鼠和幼年鼠表达最多,成年大鼠弱表达(P<0.05).CRMP-2从胚胎鼠至幼年鼠呈现逐渐增加的趋势,成年鼠相对较低(P<0.05).CRMP-3以幼鼠和成年大鼠表达较多,其中幼鼠表达最多(P<0.05),新生鼠表达最少(P<0.05).CRMP-4在胎鼠、新生鼠和幼年鼠表达量接近,成年鼠表达相对较低(P<0.05).CRMP-5在各个阶段均呈较高表达,以新生鼠和成年鼠表达较多,其中成年大鼠表达最多(P<0.05),胎鼠表达最弱(P<0.05).结论:从胚胎期至幼年期,CRMPs家族除CRMP-4稳定于高表达水平外,其余成员表达量均逐渐增多,其中CRMP-3和CRMP-5区别于其他成员,在成年期表达量继续增高.