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Rhee JY, Echavarría C, Soucy E, Greenwood J, Masís JA, Cox DD. Neural correlates of visual object recognition in rats. Cell Rep 2025; 44:115461. [PMID: 40153435 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2025] [Indexed: 03/30/2025] Open
Abstract
Invariant object recognition-the ability to recognize objects across size, rotation, or context-is fundamental for making sense of a dynamic visual world. Though traditionally studied in primates, emerging evidence suggests rodents recognize objects across a range of identity-preserving transformations. We demonstrate that rats robustly perform visual object recognition and explore a neural pathway that may underlie this capacity by developing a pipeline from high-throughput behavior training to cellular resolution imaging in awake, head-fixed animals. Leveraging our optical approach, we systematically profile neurons in primary and higher-order visual areas and their spatial organization. We find that rat visual cortex exhibits several features similar to those observed in the primate ventral stream but also marked deviations, suggesting species-specific differences in how brains solve visual object recognition. This work reinforces the sophisticated visual abilities of rats and offers the technical foundation to use them as a powerful model for mechanistic perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Y Rhee
- The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - César Echavarría
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Edward Soucy
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Joel Greenwood
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Kavli Center for Neurotechnology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Javier A Masís
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - David D Cox
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; IBM Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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2
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Neyama H, Wu Y, Nakaya Y, Kato S, Shimizu T, Tahara T, Shigeta M, Inoue M, Miyamichi K, Matsushita N, Mashimo T, Miyasaka Y, Dai Y, Noguchi K, Watanabe Y, Kobayashi M, Kobayashi K, Cui Y. Opioidergic activation of the descending pain inhibitory system underlies placebo analgesia. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2025; 11:eadp8494. [PMID: 39813331 PMCID: PMC11734720 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp8494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 12/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2025]
Abstract
Placebo analgesia is caused by inactive treatment, implicating endogenous brain function involvement. However, the neurobiological basis remains unclear. In this study, we found that μ-opioid signals in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activate the descending pain inhibitory system to initiate placebo analgesia in neuropathic pain rats. Chemogenetic manipulation demonstrated that specific activation of μ-opioid receptor-positive (MOR+) neurons in the mPFC or suppression of the mPFC-ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) circuit inhibited placebo analgesia in rats. MOR+ neurons in the mPFC are monosynaptically connected and directly inhibit layer V pyramidal neurons that project to the vlPAG via GABAA receptors. Thus, intrinsic opioid signaling in the mPFC disinhibits excitatory outflow to the vlPAG by suppressing MOR+ neurons, leading to descending pain inhibitory system activation that initiates placebo analgesia. Our results shed light on the fundamental neurobiological mechanism of the placebo effect that maximizes therapeutic efficacy and reduces adverse drug effects in medical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Neyama
- Laboratory for Biofunction Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
- Multiomics Platform, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yuping Wu
- Laboratory for Biofunction Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Yuka Nakaya
- Department of Pharmacology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8310, Japan
| | - Shigeki Kato
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Fukushima Medical University Institute of Biomedical Sciences, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Tomoko Shimizu
- Laboratory for Biofunction Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Tahara
- Laboratory for Biofunction Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Mika Shigeta
- Laboratory for Biofunction Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Michiko Inoue
- Laboratory for Biofunction Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Kazunari Miyamichi
- Laboratory for Comparative Connections, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Natsuki Matsushita
- Division of Laboratory Animal Research, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Tomoji Mashimo
- Division of Animal Genetics, Laboratory Animal Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Miyasaka
- Laboratory of Reproductive Engineering, Institute of Experimental Animal Sciences, Osaka University Medical School, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yi Dai
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
| | - Koichi Noguchi
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
| | - Yasuyoshi Watanabe
- Laboratory for Brain-Gut Homeostasis, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
| | - Masayuki Kobayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8310, Japan
| | - Kazuto Kobayashi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Fukushima Medical University Institute of Biomedical Sciences, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Yilong Cui
- Laboratory for Biofunction Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
- Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
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Chen M, Zhu B, Xie W, Liu Y, Zhang H, Weng Q. Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of vomeronasal receptors in the female muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Gene 2025; 933:148998. [PMID: 39395729 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 10/02/2024] [Accepted: 10/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/14/2024]
Abstract
Vomeronasal receptors (VRs) play a crucial role in recognizing pheromones, which are essential for social chemical communication. The male muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) secretes musk, which contains pheromones as a reproductive signal, and the female can recognize it through the VNO to mediate social communication behavior. This study aimed to identify the genomic information of VRs (OzVRs) in the female muskrat and elucidate their physicochemical properties and evolutionary relationship. Six predominantly expressed OzVR genes were identified using the RACE technique, and a comprehensive analysis was conducted on their gene structure, subcellular distribution, functional predictions, and mRNA levels, revealed that all OzVRs were transmembrane proteins. Phylogenetic analysis clustered OzVR genes into two clades (V1Rs: OzV1R21, OzV1R81, OzV1R105; V2Rs: OzV2R33, OzV2R44, OzV2R60). Physiochemically, OzV1Rs were basic proteins, while OzV2Rs exhibited weakly acidic character. Among them, OzV1R81 and OzV2R44 were identified as hydrophobicitystable proteins, with the remainder categorized as hydrophobicity-unstable proteins. Promoters analysis revealed the involvement of transcription factors and complexes, including Ahr::Arnt, Runx1, Arnt, and TFAP2A, in regulating the expression of the OzVR genes. Conserved domain and motif analyses demonstrated a high conservation of the VRs superfamily in rodents, with many conserved domains linked to pheromone binding. Functional predictions confirmed that OzVRs were associated with pheromones detection. Finally, the expression patterns of OzVR genes in different tissues and seasons indicated that OzVRs have the highest level of expression in the vomeronasal organ, and OzV1Rs notably higher in the breeding season than that in the non-breeding season, however the expression levels of OzV2Rs were higher in the non-breeding season. This study provided insights into the phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, physicochemical properties, promoter binding sites, functions and gene expression patterns of OzVRs, offering a theoretical reference for further examination of VR gene functions and a foundation for understanding chemical signaling mechanisms in the muskrat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiqi Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Bowen Zhu
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Wenqian Xie
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Yuning Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Haolin Zhang
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Qiang Weng
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
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Nguyen QAT, Rocha A, Chhor R, Yamashita Y, Stadler C, Pontrello C, Yang H, Haga-Yamanaka S. Hypothalamic representation of the imminence of predator threat detected by the vomeronasal organ in mice. eLife 2024; 12:RP92982. [PMID: 39412856 PMCID: PMC11483128 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Animals have the innate ability to select optimal defensive behaviors with appropriate intensity within specific contexts. The vomeronasal organ (VNO) serves as a primary sensory channel for detecting predator cues by relaying signals to the medial hypothalamic nuclei, particularly the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), which directly controls defensive behavioral outputs. Here, we demonstrate that cat saliva contains predator cues that signal the imminence of predator threat and modulate the intensity of freezing behavior through the VNO in mice. Cat saliva activates VNO neurons expressing the V2R-A4 subfamily of sensory receptors, and the number of VNO neurons activated in response to saliva correlates with both the freshness of saliva and the intensity of freezing behavior. Moreover, the number of VMH neurons activated by fresh, but not old, saliva positively correlates with the intensity of freezing behavior. Detailed analyses of the spatial distribution of activated neurons, as well as their overlap within the same individual mice, revealed that fresh and old saliva predominantly activate distinct neuronal populations within the VMH. Collectively, this study suggests that there is an accessory olfactory circuit in mice that is specifically tuned to time-sensitive components of cat saliva, which optimizes their defensive behavior to maximize their chance of survival according to the imminence of threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quynh Anh Thi Nguyen
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
| | - Andrea Rocha
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
| | - Ricky Chhor
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
| | - Yuna Yamashita
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
| | - Christian Stadler
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
| | - Crystal Pontrello
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
| | - Hongdian Yang
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
| | - Sachiko Haga-Yamanaka
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
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5
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Nguyen QAT, Rocha A, Chhor R, Yamashita Y, Stadler C, Pontrello C, Yang H, Haga-Yamanaka S. Hypothalamic representation of the imminence of predator threat detected by the vomeronasal organ in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.27.559655. [PMID: 37808690 PMCID: PMC10557655 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.27.559655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Animals have the innate ability to select optimal defensive behaviors with appropriate intensity in response to predator threats within specific contexts. Such innate behavioral decisions are thought to be computed in the medial hypothalamic nuclei, which contain neural populations that directly control defensive behavioral outputs. The vomeronasal organ (VNO) serves as a primary sensory channel for detecting predator cues by relaying signals to the medial hypothalamic nuclei, particularly the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), via the medial amygdala (MeA) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Here, we demonstrate that cat saliva contains predator cues that signal the imminence of predator threat and modulate the intensity of freezing behavior through the VNO in mice. Cat saliva activates neurons expressing the V2R-A4 subfamily of sensory receptors, suggesting that specific receptor groups are responsible for inducing the freezing behavior. The number of VNO neurons activated in response to saliva correlates with both the freshness of saliva and the intensity of freezing behavior. In contrast, the downstream neurons in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) and the defensive behavioral circuit are activated to a similar extent by fresh and old saliva. Strikingly, however, the number of VMH neurons activated by fresh, but not old, saliva positively correlates with the intensity of freezing behavior. Detailed analysis of the spatial distribution of neurons responding to fresh and old saliva, as well as the overlap of those activated within the same individual mice, revealed that fresh and old saliva predominantly activate distinct neuronal populations within the VMH. Collectively, this study suggests that there is an accessory olfactory circuit in mice that is specifically tuned to time-sensitive components of cat saliva, which optimizes their defensive behavior to maximize their chance of survival according to the imminence of threat.
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6
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Ortiz‐Leal I, Torres MV, Barreiro‐Vázquez J, López‐Beceiro A, Fidalgo L, Shin T, Sanchez‐Quinteiro P. The vomeronasal system of the wolf (Canis lupus signatus): The singularities of a wild canid. J Anat 2024; 245:109-136. [PMID: 38366249 PMCID: PMC11161832 DOI: 10.1111/joa.14024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Wolves, akin to their fellow canids, extensively employ chemical signals for various aspects of communication, including territory maintenance, reproductive synchronisation and social hierarchy signalling. Pheromone-mediated chemical communication operates unconsciously among individuals, serving as an innate sensory modality that regulates both their physiology and behaviour. Despite its crucial role in the life of the wolf, there is a lacuna in comprehensive research on the neuroanatomical and physiological underpinnings of chemical communication within this species. This study investigates the vomeronasal system (VNS) of the Iberian wolf, simultaneously probing potential alterations brought about by dog domestication. Our findings demonstrate the presence of a fully functional VNS, vital for pheromone-mediated communication, in the Iberian wolf. While macroscopic similarities between the VNS of the wolf and the domestic dog are discernible, notable microscopic differences emerge. These distinctions include the presence of neuronal clusters associated with the sensory epithelium of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and a heightened degree of differentiation of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Immunohistochemical analyses reveal the expression of the two primary families of vomeronasal receptors (V1R and V2R) within the VNO. However, only the V1R family is expressed in the AOB. These findings not only yield profound insights into the VNS of the wolf but also hint at how domestication might have altered neural configurations that underpin species-specific behaviours. This understanding holds implications for the development of innovative strategies, such as the application of semiochemicals for wolf population management, aligning with contemporary conservation goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Ortiz‐Leal
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of VeterinaryUniversity of Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Mateo V. Torres
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of VeterinaryUniversity of Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - José‐Daniel Barreiro‐Vázquez
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of VeterinaryUniversity of Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Ana López‐Beceiro
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of VeterinaryUniversity of Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Luis Fidalgo
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of VeterinaryUniversity of Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Taekyun Shin
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National UniversityJejuRepublic of Korea
| | - Pablo Sanchez‐Quinteiro
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of VeterinaryUniversity of Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
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Rocha A, Nguyen QAT, Haga-Yamanaka S. Type 2 vomeronasal receptor-A4 subfamily: Potential predator sensors in mice. Genesis 2024; 62:e23597. [PMID: 38590121 PMCID: PMC11018355 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Sensory signals detected by olfactory sensory organs are critical regulators of animal behavior. An accessory olfactory organ, the vomeronasal organ, detects cues from other animals and plays a pivotal role in intra- and inter-species interactions in mice. However, how ethologically relevant cues control mouse behavior through approximately 350 vomeronasal sensory receptor proteins largely remains elusive. The type 2 vomeronasal receptor-A4 (V2R-A4) subfamily members have been repeatedly detected from vomeronasal sensory neurons responsive to predator cues, suggesting a potential role of this receptor subfamily as a sensor for predators. This review focuses on this intriguing subfamily, delving into its receptor functions and genetic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rocha
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside
| | | | - Sachiko Haga-Yamanaka
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside
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Agron S, de March CA, Weissgross R, Mishor E, Gorodisky L, Weiss T, Furman-Haran E, Matsunami H, Sobel N. A chemical signal in human female tears lowers aggression in males. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002442. [PMID: 38127837 PMCID: PMC10734982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodent tears contain social chemosignals with diverse effects, including blocking male aggression. Human tears also contain a chemosignal that lowers male testosterone, but its behavioral significance was unclear. Because reduced testosterone is associated with reduced aggression, we tested the hypothesis that human tears act like rodent tears to block male aggression. Using a standard behavioral paradigm, we found that sniffing emotional tears with no odor percept reduced human male aggression by 43.7%. To probe the peripheral brain substrates of this effect, we applied tears to 62 human olfactory receptors in vitro. We identified 4 receptors that responded in a dose-dependent manner to this stimulus. Finally, to probe the central brain substrates of this effect, we repeated the experiment concurrent with functional brain imaging. We found that sniffing tears increased functional connectivity between the neural substrates of olfaction and aggression, reducing overall levels of neural activity in the latter. Taken together, our results imply that like in rodents, a human tear-bound chemosignal lowers male aggression, a mechanism that likely relies on the structural and functional overlap in the brain substrates of olfaction and aggression. We suggest that tears are a mammalian-wide mechanism that provides a chemical blanket protecting against aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani Agron
- The Azrieli National Center for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Department for Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Claire A. de March
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Reut Weissgross
- The Azrieli National Center for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Department for Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eva Mishor
- The Azrieli National Center for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Department for Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lior Gorodisky
- The Azrieli National Center for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Department for Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Weiss
- The Azrieli National Center for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Department for Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Edna Furman-Haran
- The Azrieli National Center for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hiroaki Matsunami
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Noam Sobel
- The Azrieli National Center for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Department for Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Guimarães ATB, Freitas ÍN, Mubarak NM, Rahman MM, Rodrigues FP, Rodrigues ASDL, Barceló D, Islam ARMT, Malafaia G. Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces an anxiolytic-like effect, changes in antipredator defensive response, and DNA damage in Swiss mice. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 442:130004. [PMID: 36152541 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Although the in vivo toxicity of nanoplastics (NPs) has already been reported in different model systems, their effects on mammalian behavior are poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to evaluate whether exposure to polystyrene (PS) NPs (diameter: 23.03 ± 0.266 nm) alters the behavior (locomotor, anxiety-like and antipredator) of male Swiss mice, induces brain antioxidant activity, and erythrocyte DNA damage. For this, the animals were exposed to NPs for 20 days at different doses (6.5 ng/kg and 6500 ng/kg). Initially, we did not observe any effect of pollutants on the locomotor activity of the animals (inferred via open field test and Basso mouse scale for locomotion). However, we noticed an anxiolytic-like behavior (in the open field test) and alterations in the antipredatory defensive response of mice exposed to PS NPs, when confronted with their predator potential (snake, Pantherophis guttatus). Furthermore, such changes were associated with suppressing brain antioxidant activity, inferred by lower DPPH radical scavenging activity, reduced total glutathione content, as well as the translocation and accumulation of NPs in the brain of the animals. In addition, we noted that the treatments induced DNA damage, evaluated via a single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) applied to circulating erythrocytes of the animals. However, we did not observe a dose-response effect for all biomarkers evaluated and the estimated accumulation of PS NPs in the brain. The values of the integrated biomarker response index and the results of the principal component analysis (PCA) and the hierarchical clustering analysis confirmed the similarity between the responses of animals exposed to different doses of PS NPs. Therefore, our study sheds light on how PS NPs can impact mammals and reinforce the ecotoxicological risk associated with the dispersion of these pollutants in natural environments and their uptake by mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ítalo Nascimento Freitas
- Laboratory of Toxicology Applied to the Environment, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Nabisab Mujawar Mubarak
- Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Md Mostafizur Rahman
- Laboratory of Environmental Health and Ecotoxicology, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain; Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), JordiGirona 1826, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Laboratory of Toxicology Applied to the Environment, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
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10
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Catale C, Martini A, Piscitelli RM, Senzasono B, Iacono LL, Mercuri NB, Guatteo E, Carola V. Early-life social stress induces permanent alterations in plasticity and perineuronal nets in the mouse anterior cingulate cortex. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:5763-5783. [PMID: 36117291 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Child maltreatment disrupts trajectories of brain development, but the underlying pathways are unclear. Stressful stimuli in early life interfere with maturation of local inhibitory circuitry and deposition of perineuronal nets (PNNs), specialized extracellular matrix structures involved in the closure of critical periods of development. Alterations in cortical PNN and parvalbumin (PV) following early-life stress (ELS) have been detected in human and animal studies. Aberrations in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) are the most consistent neuroimaging findings in maltreated people, but the molecular mechanisms linking ELS with ACC dysfunctions are unknown. Here, we employed a mouse model of early social threat to test whether ELS experienced in a sensitive period for ACC maturation could induce long-term aberrations of PNN and PV development in the ACC, with consequences on plasticity and ACC-dependent behavior. We found that ELS increased PNN but not PV expression in the ACC of young adult mice. This was associated with reduced frequency of inhibitory postsynaptic currents and long-term potentiation impairments and expression of intense object phobia. Our findings provide information on the long-term effects of ELS on ACC functionality and PNN formation and present evidence for a novel neurobiological pathway underlying the impact of early adversity on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Catale
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Martini
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Experimental Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Piscitelli
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Experimental Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Motor Science and Wellness, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Luisa Lo Iacono
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola B Mercuri
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Experimental Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezia Guatteo
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Experimental Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Motor Science and Wellness, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Carola
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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11
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Itakura T, Murata K, Miyamichi K, Ishii KK, Yoshihara Y, Touhara K. A single vomeronasal receptor promotes intermale aggression through dedicated hypothalamic neurons. Neuron 2022; 110:2455-2469.e8. [PMID: 35654036 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The pheromonal information received by the vomeronasal system plays a crucial role in regulating social behaviors such as aggression in mice. Despite accumulating knowledge of the brain regions involved in aggression, the specific vomeronasal receptors and the exact neural circuits responsible for pheromone-mediated aggression remain unknown. Here, we identified one murine vomeronasal receptor, Vmn2r53, that is activated by urine from males of various strains and is responsible for evoking intermale aggression. We prepared a purified pheromonal fraction and Vmn2r53 knockout mice and applied genetic tools for neuronal activity recording, manipulation, and circuit tracing to decipher the neural mechanisms underlying Vmn2r53-mediated aggression. We found that Vmn2r53-mediated aggression is regulated by specific neuronal populations in the ventral premammillary nucleus and the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. Together, our results shed light on the hypothalamic regulation of male aggression mediated by a single vomeronasal receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Itakura
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Ken Murata
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kazunari Miyamichi
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kentaro K Ishii
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoshihara
- Laboratory for Systems Molecular Ethology, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Kazushige Touhara
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan; International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
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12
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Functional analysis of human olfactory receptors with a high basal activity using LNCaP cell line. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267356. [PMID: 35446888 PMCID: PMC9022881 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans use a family of more than 400 olfactory receptors (ORs) to detect odorants. However, deorphanization of ORs is a critical issue because the functional properties of more than 80% of ORs remain unknown, thus, hampering our understanding of the relationship between receptor function and perception. HEK293 cells are the most commonly used heterologous expression system to determine the function of a given OR; however, they cannot functionally express a majority of ORs probably due to a lack of factor(s) required in cells in which ORs function endogenously. Interestingly, ORs have been known to be expressed in a variety of cells outside the nose and play critical physiological roles. These findings prompted us to test the capacity of cells to functionally express a specific repertoire of ORs. In this study, we selected three cell lines that endogenously express functional ORs. We demonstrated that human prostate carcinoma (LNCaP) cell lines successfully identified novel ligands for ORs that were not recognized when expressed in HEK293 cells. Further experiments suggested that the LNCaP cell line was effective for functional expression of ORs, especially with a high basal activity, which impeded the sensitive detection of ligand-mediated activity of ORs. This report provides an efficient functional assay system for a specific repertoire of ORs that cannot be characterized in current cell systems.
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13
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Shah T, Dunning JL, Contet C. At the heart of the interoception network: Influence of the parasubthalamic nucleus on autonomic functions and motivated behaviors. Neuropharmacology 2022; 204:108906. [PMID: 34856204 PMCID: PMC8688299 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The parasubthalamic nucleus (PSTN), a small nucleus located on the lateral edge of the posterior hypothalamus, has emerged in recent years as a highly interconnected node within the network of brain regions sensing and regulating autonomic function and homeostatic needs. Furthermore, the strong integration of the PSTN with extended amygdala circuits makes it ideally positioned to serve as an interface between interoception and emotions. While PSTN neurons are mostly glutamatergic, some of them also express neuropeptides that have been associated with stress-related affective and motivational dysfunction, including substance P, corticotropin-releasing factor, and pituitary adenylate-cyclase activating polypeptide. PSTN neurons respond to food ingestion and anorectic signals, as well as to arousing and distressing stimuli. Functional manipulation of defined pathways demonstrated that the PSTN serves as a central hub in multiple physiologically relevant networks and is notably implicated in appetite suppression, conditioned taste aversion, place avoidance, impulsive action, and fear-induced thermoregulation. We also discuss the putative role of the PSTN in interoceptive dysfunction and negative urgency. This review aims to synthesize the burgeoning preclinical literature dedicated to the PSTN and to stimulate interest in further investigating its influence on physiology and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanvi Shah
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jeffery L Dunning
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Candice Contet
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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14
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Osakada T, Abe T, Itakura T, Mori H, Ishii KK, Eguchi R, Murata K, Saito K, Haga-Yamanaka S, Kimoto H, Yoshihara Y, Miyamichi K, Touhara K. Hemoglobin in the blood acts as a chemosensory signal via the mouse vomeronasal system. Nat Commun 2022; 13:556. [PMID: 35115521 PMCID: PMC8814178 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28118-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The vomeronasal system plays an essential role in sensing various environmental chemical cues. Here we show that mice exposed to blood and, consequently, hemoglobin results in the activation of vomeronasal sensory neurons expressing a specific vomeronasal G protein-coupled receptor, Vmn2r88, which is mediated by the interaction site, Gly17, on hemoglobin. The hemoglobin signal reaches the medial amygdala (MeA) in both male and female mice. However, it activates the dorsal part of ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHd) only in lactating female mice. As a result, in lactating mothers, hemoglobin enhances digging and rearing behavior. Manipulation of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1)-expressing neurons in the VMHd is sufficient to induce the hemoglobin-mediated behaviors. Our results suggest that the oxygen-carrier hemoglobin plays a role as a chemosensory signal, eliciting behavioral responses in mice in a state-dependent fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Osakada
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Takayuki Abe
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Takumi Itakura
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Hiromi Mori
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kentaro K Ishii
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Ryo Eguchi
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Ken Murata
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kosuke Saito
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Sachiko Haga-Yamanaka
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Hiroko Kimoto
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoshihara
- ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Kazunari Miyamichi
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
- ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kazushige Touhara
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
- ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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15
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Gouveia FV, Ibrahim GM. Habenula as a Neural Substrate for Aggressive Behavior. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:817302. [PMID: 35250669 PMCID: PMC8891498 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.817302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, an ever growing body of literature has explored the anatomy, connections, and functions of the habenula (Hb). It has been postulated that the Hb plays a central role in the control of the monoaminergic system, thus influencing a wide range of behavioral responses, and participating in the pathophysiology of a number of psychiatric disorders and neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as aggressive behaviors. Aggressive behaviors are frequently accompanied by restlessness and agitation, and are commonly observed in patients with psychiatric disorders, intellectual disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases of aging. Recently, the Hb has been explored as a new target for neuromodulation therapies, such as deep brain stimulation, with promising results. Here we review the anatomical organization of the habenula and discuss several distinct mechanisms by which the Hb is involved in the modulation of aggressive behaviors, and propose new investigations for the development of novel treatments targeting the habenula to reduce aggressive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Venetucci Gouveia
- Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - George M Ibrahim
- Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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16
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Mishor E, Amir D, Weiss T, Honigstein D, Weissbrod A, Livne E, Gorodisky L, Karagach S, Ravia A, Snitz K, Karawani D, Zirler R, Weissgross R, Soroka T, Endevelt-Shapira Y, Agron S, Rozenkrantz L, Reshef N, Furman-Haran E, Breer H, Strotmann J, Uebi T, Ozaki M, Sobel N. Sniffing the human body volatile hexadecanal blocks aggression in men but triggers aggression in women. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabg1530. [PMID: 34797713 PMCID: PMC8604408 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg1530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In terrestrial mammals, body volatiles can effectively trigger or block conspecific aggression. Here, we tested whether hexadecanal (HEX), a human body volatile implicated as a mammalian-wide social chemosignal, affects human aggression. Using validated behavioral paradigms, we observed a marked dissociation: Sniffing HEX blocked aggression in men but triggered aggression in women. Next, using functional brain imaging, we uncovered a pattern of brain activity mirroring behavior: In both men and women, HEX increased activity in the left angular gyrus, an area implicated in perception of social cues. HEX then modulated functional connectivity between the angular gyrus and a brain network implicated in social appraisal (temporal pole) and aggressive execution (amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex) in a sex-dependent manner consistent with behavior: increasing connectivity in men but decreasing connectivity in women. These findings implicate sex-specific social chemosignaling at the mechanistic heart of human aggressive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Mishor
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daniel Amir
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Weiss
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Danielle Honigstein
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aharon Weissbrod
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ethan Livne
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lior Gorodisky
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shiri Karagach
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aharon Ravia
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Kobi Snitz
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Diyala Karawani
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Rotem Zirler
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Reut Weissgross
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Timna Soroka
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yaara Endevelt-Shapira
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shani Agron
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liron Rozenkrantz
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Netta Reshef
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Edna Furman-Haran
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Heinz Breer
- Institute of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Joerg Strotmann
- Institute of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tatsuya Uebi
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Mamiko Ozaki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Noam Sobel
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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17
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Zhai Y, Li M, Gui Z, Wang Y, Hu T, Liu Y, Xu F. Whole Brain Mapping of Neurons Innervating Extraorbital Lacrimal Glands in Mice and Rats of Both Genders. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:768125. [PMID: 34776876 PMCID: PMC8585839 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.768125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The extraorbital lacrimal glands (ELGs) secret tears to maintain a homeostatic environment for ocular surfaces, and pheromones to mediate social interactions. Although its distinct gender-related differences in mice and rats have been identified, its comprehensive histology together with whole-brain neuronal network remain largely unknown. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate whether sex-specific differences take place in histological and physiological perspectives. Morphological and histological data were obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining in mice and rats of both genders. The innervating network was visualized by a pseudorabies virus (PRV) mediated retrograde trans-multi-synaptic tracing system for adult C57BL6/J mice of both genders. In terms of ELGs' anatomy, mice and rats across genders both have 7 main lobes, with one exception observed in female rats which have only 5 lobes. Both female rats and mice generally have relatively smaller shape size, absolute weight, and cell size than males. Our viral tracing revealed a similar trend of innervating patterns antero-posteriorly, but significant gender differences were also observed in the hypothalamus (HY), olfactory areas (OLF), and striatum (STR). Brain regions including piriform area (Pir), post-piriform transition area (TR), central amygdalar nucleus (CEA), medial amygdalar nucleus (MEA), lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), parasubthalamic nucleus (PSTN), pontin reticular nucleus (caudal part) (PRNc), and parabrachial nucleus, (PB) were commonly labeled. In addition, chemical isotope labeling-assisted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (CIL-LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR spectroscopy) were performed to reveal the fatty acids and metabolism of the ELGs, reflecting the relationship between pheromone secretion and brain network. Overall, our results revealed basic properties and the input neural networks for ELGs in both genders of mice, providing a structural basis to analyze the diverse functions of ELGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Min Li
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Basic Medical Laboratory, General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Tumor and Intervention, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhu Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yeli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ting Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen, China.,Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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18
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Poitras T, Piragasam RS, Joy T, Jackson J, Chandrasekhar A, Fahlman R, Zochodne DW. Major urinary protein excreted in rodent hindpaw sweat. J Anat 2021; 239:529-535. [PMID: 33686663 PMCID: PMC8273588 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative roles for sweat production beyond thermoregulation, considered less frequently, include chemical signaling. We identified the presence of a well-established rodent urinary pheromone, major urinary protein (MUP) in sweat ductules of the footpad dermal skin of mice. A hindpaw sweat proteomic analysis in hindpaw sweat samples collected in rats and generated by unmyelinated axon activation, identified seven lipocalin family members including MUP and 19 additional unique proteins. Behavioural responses to sniffing male mouse foot protein lysates suggested avoidance in a subset of male mice, but were not definitive. Rodent hindpaw sweat glands secrete a repertoire of proteins that include MUPs known to have roles in olfactory communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Poitras
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of Medicine and the Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | | | - Twinkle Joy
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of Medicine and the Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Jesse Jackson
- Department of Physiology and the Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Ambika Chandrasekhar
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of Medicine and the Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Richard Fahlman
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Douglas W. Zochodne
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of Medicine and the Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
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19
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Niimura Y, Tsunoda M, Kato S, Murata K, Yanagawa T, Suzuki S, Touhara K. Origin and Evolution of the Gene Family of Proteinaceous Pheromones, the Exocrine Gland-Secreting Peptides, in Rodents. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:634-649. [PMID: 32961551 PMCID: PMC7826187 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The exocrine-gland secreting peptide (ESP)gene family encodes proteinaceous pheromones that are recognized by the vomeronasal organ in mice. For example, ESP1 is a male pheromone secreted in tear fluid that regulates socio-sexual behavior, and ESP22 is a juvenile pheromone that suppresses adult sexual behavior. The family consists of multiple genes and has been identified only in mouse and rat genomes. The coding region of a mouse ESP gene is separated into two exons, each encoding signal and mature sequences. Here, we report the origin and evolution of the ESP gene family. ESP genes were found only in the Muridea and Cricetidae families of rodents, suggesting a recent origin of ESP genes in the common ancestor of murids and cricetids. ESP genes show a great diversity in number, length, and sequence among different species as well as mouse strains. Some ESPs in rats and golden hamsters are expressed in the lacrimal gland and the salivary gland. We also found that a mature sequence of an ESP gene showed overall sequence similarity to the α-globin gene. The ancestral ESP gene seems to be generated by recombination of a retrotransposed α-globin gene with the signal-encoding exon of the CRISP2 gene located adjacent to the ESP gene cluster. This study provides an intriguing example of molecular tinkering in rapidly evolving species-specific proteinaceous pheromone genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihito Niimura
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mai Tsunoda
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sari Kato
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Murata
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taichi Yanagawa
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunta Suzuki
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazushige Touhara
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Institutes for Advanced Study, International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Tirindelli R. Coding of pheromones by vomeronasal receptors. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:367-386. [PMID: 33433690 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03376-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Communication between individuals is critical for species survival, reproduction, and expansion. Most terrestrial species, with the exception of humans who predominantly use vision and phonation to create their social network, rely on the detection and decoding of olfactory signals, which are widely known as pheromones. These chemosensory cues originate from bodily fluids, causing attractive or avoidance behaviors in subjects of the same species. Intraspecific pheromone signaling is then crucial to identify sex, social ranking, individuality, and health status, thus establishing hierarchies and finalizing the most efficient reproductive strategies. Indeed, all these features require fine tuning of the olfactory systems to detect molecules containing this information. To cope with this complexity of signals, tetrapods have developed dedicated olfactory subsystems that refer to distinct peripheral sensory detectors, called the main olfactory and the vomeronasal organ, and two minor structures, namely the septal organ of Masera and the Grueneberg ganglion. Among these, the vomeronasal organ plays the most remarkable role in pheromone coding by mediating several behavioral outcomes that are critical for species conservation and amplification. In rodents, this organ is organized into two segregated neuronal subsets that express different receptor families. To some extent, this dichotomic organization is preserved in higher projection areas of the central nervous system, suggesting, at first glance, distinct functions for these two neuronal pathways. Here, I will specifically focus on this issue and discuss the role of vomeronasal receptors in mediating important innate behavioral effects through the recognition of pheromones and other biological chemosignals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Tirindelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Volturno, 39, 43125, Parma, Italy.
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21
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Brown rats and house mice eavesdrop on each other's volatile sex pheromone components. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17701. [PMID: 33077874 PMCID: PMC7572391 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74820-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian pheromones often linger in the environment and thus are particularly susceptible to interceptive eavesdropping, commonly understood as a one-way dyadic interaction, where prey sense and respond to the scent of a predator. Here, we tested the “counterespionage” hypothesis that predator and prey co-opt each other’s pheromone as a cue to locate prey or evade predation. We worked with wild brown rats (predator of mice) and wild house mice (prey of brown rats) as model species, testing their responses to pheromone-baited traps at infested field sites. The treatment trap in each of two trap pairs per replicate received sex attractant pheromone components (including testosterone) of male mice or male rats, whereas corresponding control traps received only testosterone, a pheromone component shared between mouse and rat males. Trap pairs disseminating male rat pheromone components captured 3.05 times fewer mice than trap pairs disseminating male mouse pheromone components, and no female mice were captured in rat pheromone-baited traps, indicating predator aversion. Indiscriminate captures of rats in trap pairs disseminating male rat or male mouse pheromone components, and fewer captures of rats in male mouse pheromone traps than in (testosterone-only) control traps indicate that rats do eavesdrop on the male mouse sex pheromone but do not exploit the information for mouse prey location. The counterespionage hypothesis is supported by trap catch data of both mice and rats but only the mice data are in keeping with our predictions for motive of the counterespionage.
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22
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Baldwin MW, Ko MC. Functional evolution of vertebrate sensory receptors. Horm Behav 2020; 124:104771. [PMID: 32437717 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sensory receptors enable animals to perceive their external world, and functional properties of receptors evolve to detect the specific cues relevant for an organism's survival. Changes in sensory receptor function or tuning can directly impact an organism's behavior. Functional tests of receptors from multiple species and the generation of chimeric receptors between orthologs with different properties allow for the dissection of the molecular basis of receptor function and identification of the key residues that impart functional changes in different species. Knowledge of these functionally important sites facilitates investigation into questions regarding the role of epistasis and the extent of convergence, as well as the timing of sensory shifts relative to other phenotypic changes. However, as receptors can also play roles in non-sensory tissues, and receptor responses can be modulated by numerous other factors including varying expression levels, alternative splicing, and morphological features of the sensory cell, behavioral validation can be instrumental in confirming that responses observed in heterologous systems play a sensory role. Expression profiling of sensory cells and comparative genomics approaches can shed light on cell-type specific modifications and identify other proteins that may affect receptor function and can provide insight into the correlated evolution of complex suites of traits. Here we review the evolutionary history and diversity of functional responses of the major classes of sensory receptors in vertebrates, including opsins, chemosensory receptors, and ion channels involved in temperature-sensing, mechanosensation and electroreception.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meng-Ching Ko
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
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23
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Parsons MH, Deutsch MA, Dumitriu D, Munshi-South J. Differential responses by urban brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) toward male or female-produced scents in sheltered and high-risk presentations. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juz009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Wild rats (Rattus norvegicus) are among the most ubiquitous and consequential organisms in the urban environment. However, collecting data from city rats is difficult, and there has been little research to determine the influence, or valence, of rat scents on urban conspecifics. Using a mark-release-monitor protocol, we previously learned rats can be attracted to remote-sensing points when baited with mixed-bedding from male and female laboratory rats. It was thus essential that we disambiguate which scents were eliciting attraction (+ valence), inspection, a conditioned response whereby attraction may be followed by avoidance (–valence), or null-response (0 valence). We used radio-frequency identification tagging and scent-baited antennas to assess extended (>40 days) responses to either male or female scents against two risk presentations (near-shelter and exposed to predators). In response to male scents, rats (n = 8) visited both treatments (shelter, exposed) more than controls (0.2 visits/day treatment vs. 0.1/day; P < 0.05) indicating scents accounted for response more so than risk. Dwell-times, however, did not differ (1.2 s/visit treatment vs. 0.9 s/visit; P > 0.5). These outcomes are consistent with inspection (–valence). In response to female scents, rats (n = 7) increased visitation (5.02 visits/day vs. 0.1/day controls; P < 0.05), while dwell-times also increased 6.8 s/visit vs. 0.2 s/visit in both risk-settings. The latter is consistent with persistent attraction (+valence), but was also influenced by shelter, as runway visits (1.1 visits/day) were a magnitude more common than predator-exposed (0.1 visits/day). Further understanding and exploiting the mobility of city rats is necessary for improvements in basic and applied research, including city pathogen-surveillance and urban wildlife management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Parsons
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Michael A Deutsch
- Medical and Applied Entomology, Arrow Exterminating Company, Inc., Lynbrook, NY, USA
| | - Dani Dumitriu
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, the Zuckerman Institute, and the Columbia Population Research Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason Munshi-South
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Louis Calder Center—Biological Field Station, Fordham University, Armonk, NY, USA
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Silvotti L, Cavaliere RM, Belletti S, Tirindelli R. In-vivo activation of vomeronasal neurons shows adaptive responses to pheromonal stimuli. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8490. [PMID: 29855521 PMCID: PMC5981476 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26831-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In most mammals, the vomeronasal system has a pivotal role in mediating socio-sexual behaviours. The vomeronasal organ senses pheromones through the activation of specific receptors. Pheromone binding to cognate receptors activates Ca-influx via the gating of a cation channel that generates membrane depolarisation. The ex-vivo activation of vomeronasal neurons (VSNs) by pheromonal stimuli has been largely investigated by electrophysiological and imaging techniques; however, few studies have been carried out to determine the physiological responses of VSNs, in-vivo. By tracking the phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal protein as a marker of neuronal activity, we show that S6 becomes phosphorylated (pS6) in mouse VSNs stimulated by intraspecific and heterospecific pheromonal cues. We observed that female scent induces pS6 immunoreactivity in the apical VSNs of male vomeronasal epithelium, whereas male cues stimulate S6 phosphorylation in both the basal and apical VSNs of females. We also show that this dimorphic pattern of pS6 immunoreactivity is reproduced when heterospecific stimuli are used. Moreover, we found that a consistent proportion of VSNs is activated by both heterospecific and intraspecific pheromones. Additionally, we have evidence of adaptive responses to S6 phosphorylation when stimulation with cues of the same and opposite sex and of different species is sustained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Silvotti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Neuroscience Unit, University of Parma, Via Volturno, 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Cavaliere
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Neuroscience Unit, University of Parma, Via Volturno, 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - Silvana Belletti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Neuroscience Unit, University of Parma, Via Volturno, 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberto Tirindelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Neuroscience Unit, University of Parma, Via Volturno, 39, 43125, Parma, Italy.
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