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Abstract
The scientific community has searched for years for ways of examining neuronal tissue to track neural activity with reliable anatomical markers for stimulated neuronal activity. Existing studies that focused on hypothalamic systems offer a few options but do not always compare approaches or validate them for dependence on cell firing, leaving the reader uncertain of the benefits and limitations of each method. Thus, in this article, potential markers will be presented and, where possible, placed into perspective in terms of when and how these methods pertain to hypothalamic function. An example of each approach is included. In reviewing the approaches, one is guided through how neurons work, the consequences of their stimulation, and then the potential markers that could be applied to hypothalamic systems are discussed. Approaches will use features of neuronal glucose utilization, water/oxygen movement, changes in neuron-glial interactions, receptor translocation, cytoskeletal changes, stimulus-synthesis coupling that includes expression of the heteronuclear or mature mRNA for transmitters or the enzymes that make them, and changes in transcription factors (immediate early gene products, precursor buildup, use of promoter-driven surrogate proteins, and induced expression of added transmitters. This article includes discussion of methodological limitations and the power of combining approaches to understand neuronal function. © 2020 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 10:549-575, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria E. Hoffman
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Turner JM, Will RG, Harvey EA, Hattori T, Tobiansky DJ, Nutsch VL, Martz JR, Dominguez JM. Copulation induces expression of the immediate early gene Arc in mating-relevant brain regions of the male rat. Behav Brain Res 2019; 372:112006. [PMID: 31170433 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The medial amygdala (MeA), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and medial preoptic area (mPOA) are important for the regulation of male sexual behavior. Sexual experience facilitates sexual behaviors and influences activity in these regions. The goal of this study was to determine whether sexual experience or copulation induces plasticity in the MeA, BNST, or mPOA of male rats, as indicated by changes in levels of Arc, which is indicative of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the brain. To this end, sexually naïve or experienced males were placed in mating arenas either alone, with an inaccessible estrus female, or with an accessible estrus female. Arc protein levels were then quantified in these three regions using immunohistochemistry. As expected, sexual experience facilitated copulation, as evidenced by a reduction in latencies to mount, intromit, and ejaculate. Copulation also increased the number of Arc-positive cells in the MeA, anterior BNST, posterior BNST, and the posterior mPOA, but not in the central-rostral region of the mPOA. Surprisingly, prior sexual experience did not impact levels of Arc, suggesting that copulation-induced Arc occurs in both sexually naïve and experienced males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Turner
- The Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Ryan G Will
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Eric A Harvey
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Tomoko Hattori
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Daniel J Tobiansky
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Victoria L Nutsch
- The Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Julia R Martz
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Juan M Dominguez
- The Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States; Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
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Tominna R, Chokr S, Feri M, Chuon T, Sinchak K. Plasma membrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) mediates rapid estradiol facilitation of sexual receptivity through the orphanin-FQ-ORL-1 system in estradiol primed female rats. Horm Behav 2019; 112:89-99. [PMID: 30981690 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In estradiol-primed nonreceptive ovariectomized rats, activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) rapidly facilitates sexual receptivity (lordosis). Estradiol priming activates ARH β-endorphin (β-END) neurons that then activate medial preoptic (MPN) μ-opioid receptors (MOP) to inhibit lordosis. ARH infusion of non-esterified 17β-estradiol (E2) 47.5 h after 17β-estradiol benzoate (2 μg EB) priming deactivates MPN MOP and rapidly facilitates lordosis within 30 min via activation of GPER. Since it was unclear where GPERs were located in the neuron, we tested the hypothesis that GPER signaling is initiated at the plasma membrane. Membrane impermeable estradiol (17β-estradiol conjugated to biotin; E-Biotin) infused into the ARH of EB primed rats facilitated lordosis within 30 min, and MPN MOP was deactivated. These actions were blocked by pretreating with GPER antagonist, G-15. Further, we used cell fractionation and western blot techniques to demonstrate that GPER is expressed both in plasma membrane and cytosolic ARH fractions. In previous studies, the orphanin FQ/nociceptin-opioid receptor-like receptor-1 (OFQ/N-ORL-1) system mediated estradiol-only facilitation of lordosis. Therefore, we tested whether the OFQ/N-ORL-1 system mediates E-Biotin-GPER facilitation of lordosis. Pretreatment of UFP-101, an ORL-1 selective antagonist, blocked the facilitation of lordosis and deactivation of MPN MOP by ARH infusion of E-Biotin. Double-label immunohistochemistry revealed that GPER is expressed within approximately 70% of OFQ/N neurons. These data indicate that membrane GPER mediates the E2/E-Biotin facilitation of lordosis by inducing OFQ/N neurotransmission, which inhibits β-END neurotransmission to reduce MPN MOP activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reema Tominna
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States of America
| | - Sima Chokr
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States of America
| | - Micah Feri
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States of America
| | - Timbora Chuon
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States of America
| | - Kevin Sinchak
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States of America.
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Randesi M, Contoreggi NH, Zhou Y, Rubin BR, Bellamy JR, Yu F, Gray JD, McEwen BS, Milner TA, Kreek MJ. Sex Differences in Neuroplasticity- and Stress-Related Gene Expression and Protein Levels in the Rat Hippocampus Following Oxycodone Conditioned Place Preference. Neuroscience 2019; 410:274-292. [PMID: 31071414 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Prescription opioid abuse is a serious public health issue. Recently, we showed that female and male Sprague-Dawley rats acquire conditioned place preference (CPP) to the mu opioid receptor agonist oxycodone. Anatomical analysis of the hippocampus from these rats unveiled sex differences in the opioid system in a way that would support excitation and opiate associative learning processes especially in females. In this study, we examined the expression and protein densities of opioid, plasticity, stress and related kinase and signaling molecules in the hippocampus of female and male rats following oxycodone CPP. Oxycodone CPP females have: a) increases in ARC (activity regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein)-immunoreactivity (ir) in CA3 pyramidal cells; b) decreases in Npy (neuropeptide Y) gene expression in the medial hippocampus but higher numbers of NPY-containing hilar interneurons compared to males; c) increases in Crhr2 (corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2) expression in CA2/3; d) increases in Akt1 (AKT serine/threonine kinase 1) expression in medial hippocampus; and e) decreases in phosphorylated MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase)-ir in CA1 and dentate gyrus. Oxycodone CPP males have: a) increases in Bdnf (brain derived-neurotrophic factor) expression, which is known to be produced in granule cells, relative to females; b) elevated Mapk1 expression and pMAPK-ir in the dentate hilus which harbors newly generated granule cells; and c) increases in CRHR1-ir in CA3 pyramidal cell soma. These sex-specific changes in plasticity, stress and kinase markers in hippocampal circuitry parallel previously observed sex differences in the opioid system after oxycodone CPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Randesi
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States of America
| | - Natalina H Contoreggi
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 407 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065, United States of America
| | - Yan Zhou
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States of America
| | - Batsheva R Rubin
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 407 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065, United States of America
| | - Julia R Bellamy
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 407 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065, United States of America
| | - Fangmin Yu
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 407 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065, United States of America
| | - Jason D Gray
- Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States of America
| | - Bruce S McEwen
- Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States of America
| | - Teresa A Milner
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 407 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065, United States of America; Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States of America.
| | - Mary Jeanne Kreek
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States of America
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Sanna F, Poddighe L, Serra MP, Boi M, Bratzu J, Sanna F, Corda MG, Giorgi O, Melis MR, Argiolas A, Quartu M. c-Fos, ΔFosB, BDNF, trkB and Arc Expression in the Limbic System of Male Roman High- and Low-Avoidance Rats that Show Differences in Sexual Behavior: Effect of Sexual Activity. Neuroscience 2019; 396:1-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Micevych PE, Sinchak K. Extranuclear signaling by ovarian steroids in the regulation of sexual receptivity. Horm Behav 2018; 104:4-14. [PMID: 29753716 PMCID: PMC6240501 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Micevych
- Dept of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the UCLA Brain Research Institute, United States
| | - Kevin Sinchak
- Dept of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, United States.
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Randesi M, Zhou Y, Mazid S, Odell SC, Gray JD, Correa da Rosa J, McEwen BS, Milner TA, Kreek MJ. Sex differences after chronic stress in the expression of opioid-, stress- and neuroplasticity-related genes in the rat hippocampus. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 8:33-41. [PMID: 29888302 PMCID: PMC5991341 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid peptides and their receptors re-organize within hippocampal neurons of female, but not male, rats following chronic immobilization stress (CIS) in a manner that promotes drug-related learning. This study was conducted to determine if there are also sex differences in gene expression in the hippocampus following CIS. Adult female and male rats were subjected to CIS (30 min/day) for 10 days. Twenty-four hours after the last stressor, the rats were euthanized, the brains were harvested and the medial (dentate gyrus/CA1) and lateral (CA2/CA3) dorsal hippocampus were isolated. Following total RNA isolation, cDNA was prepared for gene expression analysis using a RT2 Profiler PCR expression array. This custom designed qPCR expression array contained genes for opioid peptides and receptors, as well as genes involved in stress-responses and candidate genes involved in synaptic plasticity, including those upregulated following oxycodone self-administration in mice. Few sex differences are seen in hippocampal gene expression in control (unstressed) rats. In response to CIS, gene expression in the hippocampus was altered in males but not females. In males, opioid, stress, plasticity and kinase/signaling genes were all down-regulated following CIS, except for the gene that codes for corticotropin releasing hormone, which was upregulated. Changes in opioid gene expression following chronic stress were limited to the CA2 and CA3 regions (lateral sample). In conclusion, modest sex- and regional-differences are seen in expression of the opioid receptor genes, as well as genes involved in stress and plasticity responses in the hippocampus following CIS. Unstressed female rats have less Arc expression in hippocampus than males. Chronic immobilization stress (CIS) down-regulates opioid gene expression in males. CIS up-regulates Crh but down-regulates other stress genes in male hippocampi. CIS down-regulates Arc and other plasticity genes in male hippocampi. CIS down-regulates select kinases and signaling molecules in male hippocampi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Randesi
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, United States
| | - Yan Zhou
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, United States
| | - Sanoara Mazid
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 407 East 61st Street, New York, NY, 10065, United States
| | - Shannon C Odell
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 407 East 61st Street, New York, NY, 10065, United States.,Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, United States
| | - Jason D Gray
- Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, United States
| | - J Correa da Rosa
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, United States
| | - Bruce S McEwen
- Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, United States
| | - Teresa A Milner
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 407 East 61st Street, New York, NY, 10065, United States.,Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, United States.,Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, United States
| | - Mary Jeanne Kreek
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, United States
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Zimmermann-Peruzatto JM, Lazzari VM, Agnes G, Becker RO, de Moura AC, Guedes RP, Lucion AB, Almeida S, Giovenardi M. The Impact of Oxytocin Gene Knockout on Sexual Behavior and Gene Expression Related to Neuroendocrine Systems in the Brain of Female Mice. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2016; 37:803-815. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-016-0419-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Angoa-Pérez M, Kuhn DM. Neuroanatomical dichotomy of sexual behaviors in rodents: a special emphasis on brain serotonin. Behav Pharmacol 2015; 26:595-606. [PMID: 26110223 PMCID: PMC4777293 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Much of the social behavior in which rodents engage is related to reproduction, such as maintaining a breeding territory, seeking mates, mating, and caring for their young. Rodents belong to the internally fertilizing species that require sexual behavior for reproduction. The dyadic, heterosexual patterns of most mammalian species are sexually dimorphic, but they also share mutual components in both sexes: sexual attraction is reciprocal, sexual initiative is assumed, appetitive behavior is engaged in, and mating involves consummatory and postconsummatory phases in females as well as in males. Serotonin, a phylogenetically ancient molecule, is the most widely distributed neurotransmitter in the brain and its signaling pathways are essential for numerous functions including sexual behavior. Since the late 1960s, brain serotonergic neurotransmission has been considered to exert an inhibitory influence on the neural mechanisms mediating sexual behavior. This contention was based mainly on the observations that a decrease in central serotonergic activity facilitated the elicitation of sexual behavior, whereas an increase in central serotonergic activity attenuated it. However, the discovery of over 14 types of serotonin receptors has added numerous layers of complexity to the study of serotonin and sexual behavior. Evidence shows that, upon activation, certain receptor subtypes facilitate, whereas some others suppress, sexual behavior, as well as sexual arousal and motivation. Furthermore, the role of these receptors has been shown to be different in the male and female sexes. The use of serotonergic pharmacological interventions, mouse strains with genetic polymorphisms causing alterations in the levels of brain serotonin, and animal models with genetic manipulations of various serotonin effectors has helped delineate the fundamental role of this neurotransmitter in the regulation of sexual behavior. This review aims to examine the basics of the components of female and male sexual behavior and the participation of the serotonin system in the modulation of these behaviors, with emphasis on rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Angoa-Pérez
- aResearch & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center bDepartment of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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