负性刺激诱导小鼠情绪性记忆脑区神经元编程的可塑性

通过检测慢性复合应激小鼠在Morris水迷宫实验中记忆能力及其杏仁体和海马神经元电生理特性的变化探讨情绪性记忆相关脑区的作用机制及神经元网络可塑性变化的机理。水迷宫实验中两组小鼠的逃避潜伏期逐渐缩短,具有显著性差异,6个训练周期中,应激组有5个训练周期的逃避潜伏期较对照组缩短,存在显著性差异;应激组小鼠在目标象限游泳停留时间显著长于其在其它3个象限的时间,同时显著长于对照组,而在对侧象限游泳时间显著短于对照组。小鼠在慢性负性刺激下学习和记忆能力得到提升,其杏仁体内GABA能神经元功能出现下降、海马锥体神经元功能出现增强,表明情绪性记忆可能与海马和杏仁体的神经元网络整体兴奋性的可塑性变化有关。     

钙离子调节的转录因子NF-κB激活参与小鼠记忆功能与行为调控

NF κB是重要的核转录因子,最近,美国研究人员DavidBaltimore等惊奇地发现,NF κB在行为学中枢调控过程中亦起重要作用。他们发现,敲除NF κB分子P6 5基因的小鼠的海马细胞虽然存在NF κB的其他亚基,但突触刺激引发的NF κB核转运却被降低。行为学研究亦表明,虽然P6 5基因敲除小鼠具有正常发育的中枢神经系统和正常的日常行为,但在辐射臂状迷宫(radialarmmaze,RAM)实验中,P6 5基因敲除小鼠对场景的学习和记忆能力以及探寻食物的能力均明显低于野生型小鼠,尽管实验中它们表现出与野生型小鼠相同的探寻行为(exploratorybehavior)和…     

无线神经遥测技术在阿尔茨海默病转基因小鼠恐惧学习记忆活动中的应用——海马Theta节律观察

APP/PS1/tau三转基因(3xTg)小鼠是国际公认的阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease, AD)动物模型,其6月龄时即可表现出与海马相关的认知活动障碍及电生理指标异常,但同步记录AD小鼠行为学和脑电活动的研究仍鲜有报道。近年来,无线遥测技术的发展为同步记录小动物行为和脑电活动创造了条件。本研究利用无线神经遥测技术,结合行为学检测手段,同步记录了3xTg AD小鼠在恐惧记忆活动过程中的行为学表现和海马Theta节律变化,以期揭示AD时认知功能障碍与Theta节律的关系。结果显示:(1)恐惧学习训练阶段,3xTg小鼠与野生型(wild type, WT)小鼠相比,行为学和脑电活动均无明显差异;(2)记忆检测阶段,3xTg小鼠因条件刺激(conditioning stimulus, CS)引起的僵直比率显著低于WT小鼠;(3)条件刺激前(Pre-CS)与CS期间3xTg小鼠海马Theta节律的峰值功率均明显低于WT小鼠;(4) CS可有效提高WT小鼠海马CA1区Theta节律的峰值频率,而这一刺激对3xTg小鼠无效。以上结果表明,3xTg小鼠在认知行为障碍即恐惧学习记忆能力下降的同时,伴有海马CA1区Theta节律的发放频率与发放功率降低。据此推测,Theta节律活动的衰减与3xTg小鼠恐惧记忆行为障碍有关,增强海马Theta节律可能有助于认知行为的改善。     

海马皮质特异性敲除AEG-1基因小鼠的构建及其行为学初步研究*

星形胶质细胞上调基因-1(astrocyte upregulating gene-1,AEG-1)是HIV伴随老年痴呆患者脑组织中发现的星形胶质细胞上调基因之一,近年来研究表明其调控多种中枢神经系统疾病,但其在学习认知上的研究尚未见报道。海马和皮质在学习认知中起重要作用,利用CRISPR/Cas9技术结合Cre/loxp系统构建海马皮质特异性AEG-1敲除小鼠,在此模型鼠的基础上对AEG-1和学习认知的相关性进行初步研究。首先构建插入loxp位点的flox纯合型AEG-1^fl/fl小鼠,与海马、新皮层特异性表达Cre^+/+重组酶的工具鼠进行繁育,利用PCR技术筛选出子代基因型为AEG-1^fl/fl Cre⁺的海马皮质特异性AEG-1敲除小鼠;然后利用Western blot技术和免疫荧光技术检测AEG-1基因在小鼠海马皮质中的敲除效率;最后应用新物体识别箱和三腔社会互动箱并结合SMART 3.0分析系统,对海马皮质特异性AEG-1敲除小鼠的学习记忆和社会交互行为学进行初步评价。结果显示:成功获得子代基因型为AEG-1^fl/fl Cre⁺的基因敲除小鼠;AEG-1条件性敲除小鼠海马和皮质中AEG-1蛋白质表达水平较对照组显著降低;新物体识别结果表明AEG-1条件性敲除小鼠的区分系数明显低于对照组,表明AEG-1条件性敲除小鼠的学习记忆能力较弱,但是三腔交互结果表明AEG-1条件性敲除小鼠在社会交互上与对照组相比无明显差异。以上结果为AEG-1在学习认知方面的进一步研究奠定了基础。     

海马皮质特异性敲除AEG-1基因小鼠的构建及其行为学初步研究*

星形胶质细胞上调基因-1(astrocyte upregulating gene-1,AEG-1)是HIV伴随老年痴呆患者脑组织中发现的星形胶质细胞上调基因之一,近年来研究表明其调控多种中枢神经系统疾病,但其在学习认知上的研究尚未见报道。海马和皮质在学习认知中起重要作用,利用CRISPR/Cas9技术结合Cre/loxp系统构建海马皮质特异性AEG-1敲除小鼠,在此模型鼠的基础上对AEG-1和学习认知的相关性进行初步研究。首先构建插入loxp位点的flox纯合型AEG-1^fl/fl小鼠,与海马、新皮层特异性表达Cre^+/+重组酶的工具鼠进行繁育,利用PCR技术筛选出子代基因型为AEG-1^fl/fl Cre⁺的海马皮质特异性AEG-1敲除小鼠;然后利用Western blot技术和免疫荧光技术检测AEG-1基因在小鼠海马皮质中的敲除效率;最后应用新物体识别箱和三腔社会互动箱并结合SMART 3.0分析系统,对海马皮质特异性AEG-1敲除小鼠的学习记忆和社会交互行为学进行初步评价。结果显示:成功获得子代基因型为AEG-1^fl/fl Cre⁺的基因敲除小鼠;AEG-1条件性敲除小鼠海马和皮质中AEG-1蛋白质表达水平较对照组显著降低;新物体识别结果表明AEG-1条件性敲除小鼠的区分系数明显低于对照组,表明AEG-1条件性敲除小鼠的学习记忆能力较弱,但是三腔交互结果表明AEG-1条件性敲除小鼠在社会交互上与对照组相比无明显差异。以上结果为AEG-1在学习认知方面的进一步研究奠定了基础。     

发现了与恐惧相关的基因

与恐惧有关的神经环路位于杏仁核，该部位是形成恐惧记忆的关键。最近Shumyatsky等发现杏仁核侧部主要神经元可大量释放胃泌素分泌相关肽(GRP)，该肽类神经递质的受体则分布在同一区域释放γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)的中间神经元上。GRP可引起含有GRP受体的神经元释放更多的GABA，大量的GABA可增强对该区域主要神经元活动的抑制。敲除小鼠GRP受体的基因后，这种抑制作用消失，并导致另一与恐惧记忆有关的神经回路皮层长时程增强效应加强。这表明，缺乏GRP受体会导致杏仁核中间神经元对主要神经元活动抑制作用的缺失，并使皮层和杏仁核的神经元对长时程增强效应变得敏感，从而增强由恐惧刺激引起的记忆。GRP受体基因敲除的小鼠因此表现出更强和更长久的恐惧记忆行为。     

海马中特异性敲除Dicer1蛋白的小鼠的构建和表型

目的：在小鼠海马中特异性敲除RNA酶Ⅲ酶（RNAase Ⅲenzyme）Dicer1,并初步观察Dicer1在小鼠海马的生长发育中起到的基本作用。方法：用在海马中特异性表达Cre酶的Frizzled9-CreERTM小鼠和Dicer1（flox/flox）小鼠交配,得到Dicer1（flox/＋）;Frizzled9-CreERTM小鼠,并再次与Dicer1（flox/flox）交配,得到Dicer1（flox/flox）;Frizzled9-CreERTM小鼠,用他莫昔芬（TM）诱导Cre酶的表达,使Dicer1在海马中特异性敲除,观察小鼠的表型。结果：TM诱导的Dicer1全敲的小鼠出生率低,大部分在出生后40天左右死亡,海马中CA3区域变薄,猜测与海马中缺乏Dicer1酶有关。结论：Dicer1是miRNA产生过程中的重要因素,在海马中敲除Dicer1后影响小鼠发育,小鼠易猝死。     

环腺苷酸应答元件结合蛋白与学习记忆

环腺苷酸(cAMP)应答元件结合蛋白(cAMP response element binding protein,CREB)是一种核转录因子,可与cAMP反应元件结合,调节基因转录,具有调节精子生成,昼夜节律,学习记忆等功能.近年来关于其在学习记忆中的作用成为医学研究热点.CREB是神经元内多条信息传递途径的汇聚点,参与长时记忆形成和突触可塑性.长时记忆(long-term memory)形成需依赖CREB介导的基因转录,干扰或抑制CREB活性可破坏长时记忆.长时程增强(long-term potentiation,LTP)是研究学习记忆的理想模型,在LTP诱导和维持过程中均可观察到CREB活性持续升高.但增龄过程中,海马CREB活性下降,影响学习记忆功能,与许多神经退行性疾病发生有关.     

精胺对Azin1基因敲除小鼠体内Atp8a1基因表达调控的研究

目的 研究精胺对Azin1基因敲除小鼠体内Atp8a1基因表达的影响,并对其作用机理进行初步的探讨.方法 利用Real-time PCR检测正常小鼠和Azin1基因敲除小鼠体内Atp8a1基因的在mRNA水平上的差异表达情况;构建Atp8a1基因的启动子虫荧光素酶报告质粒;将启动子重组质粒转染NTH3T3细胞后,在细胞培养液中加入精胺,检测精胺对启动子活性的影响.结果 Atp8a1基因在Azin1基因敲除小鼠体内的表达量明显增加;精胺能够增强Atp8a1的启动子活性.结论 精胺能够通过增强Atp8a1的启动子活性而增强其在Ain1基因敲除小鼠体内转录水平的表达.     

PP1γ基因DNA甲基化在学习记忆中的作用

目的研究蛋白磷酸酶1γ(protein serine/threonine phosphatase,PP1γ)和DNA甲基化在学习记忆中的作用。方法通过DNA甲基化转移酶(DNA methytransferases,DNMTs)抑制剂5-aza-cdR处理小鼠,观察小鼠学习记忆情况及其PP1γ表达变化,通过水迷宫测定小鼠的学习记忆能力,Real-time PCR检测小鼠海马区DNMTs和PP1γmRNA转录水平以及Western-Blot测定PP1γ的蛋白质表达水平。为了进一步探讨5-aza-cdR对小鼠学习记忆的影响是否与细胞增殖和凋亡有关,用5-aza-cdR处理NG108-15神经细胞,流式细胞仪、x Celligence系统和荧光素酶报告基因分别检测5-aza-cdR对细胞增殖、凋亡和PP1γ的转录活性的影响。结果侧脑室注射了5-aza-cdR的小鼠空间学习记忆能力增加,同时小鼠海马区的DNMTs和PP1γ的表达降低;10μmol/L 5-aza-cdR抑制细胞增殖,降低PP1γ的转录活性,但是没有诱导细胞凋亡。结论 5-aza-cdR对PP1γ的表达抑制与小鼠学习记忆有关。     

Social Isolation Stress-Induced Fear Memory Deficit is Mediated by Down-Regulated Neuro-Signaling System and Egr-1 Expression in the Brain

We previously reported that social isolation (SI) rearing of rodents not only elicits a variety of behavioral abnormalities including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-like behaviors, but also impairs fear memory in mice. This study aimed to clarify a putative mechanism underlying SI-induced conditioned fear memory deficit. Mice were group-housed (GH) or socially isolated for 2 weeks or more before the experiments. SI animals acquired contextual and auditory fear memory elucidated at 90 min and 4 h after training, respectively; however, they showed significantly impaired contextual and auditory memory performance at 24 h and 4 days after the training, respectively, indicating SI-induced deficit of the consolidation process of fear memory. Neurochemical studies conducted after behavioral tests revealed that SI mice had a significantly down-regulated level of Egr-1 but not Egr-2 in the hippocampal and cortical cytosolic fractions compared with those levels in the GH control animals. Moreover, in the SI group, phosphorylated levels of synaptic plasticity-related signaling proteins in the hippocampus, NR1 subunit of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor, glutamate receptor 1, and calmodulin-dependent kinase II but not cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein were significantly down-regulated compared with those levels in GH animals, whereas non-phosphorylated levels of these proteins were not affected by SI. These findings suggest that dysfunctions of Egr-1 and neuro-signaling systems are involved in SI-induced deficits of fear memory consolidation in mice.     

Impaired Extinction of Learned Contextual Fear Memory in Early Growth Response 1 Knockout Mice

Inductive expression of early growth response 1 (Egr-1) in neurons is associated with many forms of neuronal activity. However, only a few Egr-1 target genes are known in the brain. The results of this study demonstrate that Egr-1 knockout (KO) mice display impaired contextual extinction learning and normal fear acquisition relative to wild-type (WT) control animals. Genome-wide microarray experiments revealed 368 differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus of Egr-1 WT exposed to different phases of a fear conditioning paradigm compared to gene expression profiles in the hippocampus of KO mice. Some of genes, such as serotonin receptor 2C (Htr2c), neuropeptide B (Npb), neuronal PAS domain protein 4 (Npas4), NPY receptor Y1 (Npy1r), fatty acid binding protein 7 (Fabp7), and neuropeptide Y (Npy) are known to regulate processing of fearful memories, and promoter analyses demonstrated that several of these genes contained Egr-1 binding sites. This study provides a useful list of potential Egr-1 target genes which may be regulated during fear memory processing.     

stathmin, a gene enriched in the amygdala, controls both learned and innate fear

Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of learned and innate fear. We have identified stathmin, an inhibitor of microtubule formation, as highly expressed in the lateral nucleus (LA) of the amygdala as well as in the thalamic and cortical structures that send information to the LA about the conditioned (learned fear) and unconditioned stimuli (innate fear). Whole-cell recordings from amygdala slices that are isolated from stathmin knockout mice show deficits in spike-timing-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP). The knockout mice also exhibit decreased memory in amygdala-dependent fear conditioning and fail to recognize danger in innately aversive environments. By contrast, these mice do not show deficits in the water maze, a spatial task dependent on the hippocampus, where stathmin is not normally expressed. We therefore conclude that stathmin is required for the induction of LTP in afferent inputs to the amygdala and is essential in regulating both innate and learned fear.     

The role of NCAM in auditory fear conditioning and its modulation by stress: a focus on the amygdala

Chronic stress in rodents was shown to induce structural shrinkage and functional alterations in the hippocampus that were linked to spatial memory impairments. Effects of chronic stress on the amygdala have been linked to a facilitation of fear conditioning. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood, increasing evidence highlights the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) as an important molecular mediator of stress‐induced structural and functional alterations. In this study, we investigated whether altered NCAM expression levels in the amygdala might be related to stress‐induced enhancement of auditory fear conditioning and anxiety‐like behavior. In adult C57BL/6J wild‐type mice, chronic unpredictable stress resulted in an isoform‐specific increase of NCAM expression (NCAM‐140 and NCAM‐180) in the amygdala, as well as enhanced auditory fear conditioning and anxiety‐like behavior. Strikingly, forebrain‐specific conditional NCAM‐deficient mice (NCAM‐floxed mice that express the cre‐recombinase under the control of the promoter of the α‐subunit of the calcium‐calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II), whose amygdala NCAM expression levels are reduced, displayed impaired auditory fear conditioning which was not altered following chronic stress exposure. Likewise, chronic stress in these conditional NCAM‐deficient mice did not modify NCAM expression levels in the amygdala or hippocampus, while they showed enhanced anxiety‐like behavior, questioning the involvement of NCAM in this type of behavior. Together, our results strongly support the involvement of NCAM in the amygdala in the consolidation of auditory fear conditioning and highlight increased NCAM expression in the amygdala among the mechanisms whereby stress facilitates fear conditioning processes.     

A Novel Form of Memory for Auditory Fear Conditioning at a Low-Intensity Unconditioned Stimulus

Fear is one of the most potent emotional experiences and is an adaptive component of response to potentially threatening stimuli. On the other hand, too much or inappropriate fear accounts for many common psychiatric problems. Cumulative evidence suggests that the amygdala plays a central role in the acquisition, storage and expression of fear memory. Here, we developed an inducible striatal neuron ablation system in transgenic mice. The ablation of striatal neurons in the adult brain hardly affected the auditory fear learning under the standard condition in agreement with previous studies. When conditioned with a low-intensity unconditioned stimulus, however, the formation of long-term fear memory but not short-tem memory was impaired in striatal neuron-ablated mice. Consistently, the ablation of striatal neurons 24 h after conditioning with the low-intensity unconditioned stimulus, when the long-term fear memory was formed, diminished the retention of the long-term memory. Our results reveal a novel form of the auditory fear memory depending on striatal neurons at the low-intensity unconditioned stimulus.