地下啮齿动物视觉系统的形态结构与机能进化

感觉系统的适应进化机制一直是动物行为学研究的焦点。生活在特殊环境中的动物,其感觉系统在进化过程中表现出的显著差异更是引人注目。由于适应地下黑暗生活环境,地下啮齿动物感觉系统在各个组织水平都表现出进化和退化镶嵌的形态特征,其视觉系统表现得最为突出：视觉器官退化,有关图象分析结构、由视觉诱导产生行为反应的脑区及视觉投射严重退化,有关感受光周期的“非成像” 视觉通路结构高度发达。本文综述了地下啮齿动物视觉系统的结构、功能、进化与发育等方面的研究进展,旨在阐明地下啮齿动物视觉系统的特点,有助于开展地下啮齿动物视觉系统适应进化机制的研究。     

地下鼠生物学特征及其在生态系统中的作用

地下鼠生活型、行为、种群结构的特殊性,决定了此类动物对植被、土壤及生态系统作用的多样性。地下挖能改变土壤的物理环境,导致土壤类型、发育速率、营养可利用性、微地形等的变化。地下啃食直接影响植物的形态、丰富度、种间竞争、植被类型和物种多样性、生物是及群落组成构成等,植物对植食性动物的防御策略具有更明显的化学防卫特性。地下鼠与其他植食性动物种间竞争、空间利用等关系密切,是食肉动物重要的食物资源。地下鼠对生态系统生产力、空间异质性、营养结构和循环、碳素储存以及微量气体释放等生物地球化学过程均能产生影响,显示出有别于地面植食性动物的重要性和不可替代性。     

昼夜节律钟调控代谢的研究进展

生理和行为的昼夜节律性调控对健康生活是必需的。越来越多的流行病学和遗传学证据显示昼夜节律的破坏与代谢紊乱性疾病相关联。在分子水平上,昼夜节律受到时钟蛋白组成的转录一翻译负反馈环的调控。时钟蛋白通过以下两种途径调节代谢：首先,时钟蛋白作为转录因子直接调节一些代谢关键步骤的限速酶和代谢相关核受体的表达,其次作为代谢相关核受体的辅调节因子来激活或抑制其转录活性。虽然时钟蛋白对代谢途径的调节导致代谢物水平呈昼夜节律振荡,但是产生的代谢物反过来又可以影响昼夜节律钟基因的表达,进而影响昼夜节律钟。深入研究昼夜节律钟与代谢的交互调节可能为治疗某些代谢紊乱性疾病提供新的治疗方案。     

昼夜节律调节耳蜗对噪声敏感性研究进展

强烈的噪声会损伤耳蜗毛细胞、听神经、耳蜗毛细胞与听神经之间的突触连接,造成噪声性听力损失(noise-induced hearingloss,NIHL)。近年来的研究显示,动物耳蜗具有昼夜节律性,使得它们对昼夜噪声的敏感性不同。耳蜗昼夜节律与脑源性神经营养因子以及糖皮质激素水平之间存在着一定的关系,从而影响动物噪声暴露后听力损失的程度。本文综述了昼夜节律调节耳蜗对噪声敏感性研究进展,并对未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

昼夜节律与肿瘤的相关研究进展

所有生物体内都存在着调节自身的生物钟,昼夜节律的存在是生物钟功能的主要体现.昼夜节律与肿瘤的发生、发展、转移和预后密切相关,且很可能与肿瘤对抗癌药物的耐受性及有效性有关.研究其与肿瘤的相关性,能够更好的帮助我们预防、诊断和治疗恶性肿瘤.     

家蚕昼夜节律生物钟基因的生物信息学分析

昼夜节律是最普遍的生物节律现象,受遗传基因调控,其分子机制在黑腹果蝇Drosophila melanogaster中有较为深入的研究,在其他昆虫中的研究相对较少。家蚕Bombyx mori的滞育是对昼夜节律授时因子响应的一种现象,可作为研究的参照。通过电子克隆的方法获得了家蚕生物钟基因Bmvri,Bmcyc,Bmtim2,Bmpdp完整的开放阅读框(ORF)序列,以及Bmclk基因的ORF片段,并对上述基因及其表达产物进行了结构分析、染色体定位和系统的分子进化分析,根据这些基因及其表达产物的结构特征结合现有的数据资源,整合了家蚕昼夜节律生物钟反馈环路。     

松果体昼夜节律生物钟分子机制的研究进展

在各种非哺乳类脊椎动物中 ,松果体起着中枢昼夜节律振荡器的作用。近来 ,在鸟类松果体中相继发现了几种钟基因 ,如Per、Cry、Clock和Bmal等 ,其表达的时间变化规律与哺乳类视交叉上核 (SCN)的非常相似。钟的振荡由其自身调控反馈环路的转录和翻译组成 ,鸟类松果体和哺乳类SCN似乎具有共同的钟振荡基本分子构架 ;若干钟基因产物作为正向或负向调节子影响钟的振荡 ;昼夜性的控时机制同时也需要翻译后事件的参与。这些过程对钟振荡器的稳定性和 /或钟导引的光输入通路有着重要的调控作用     

内蒙古草原小毛足鼠的活动性、代谢特征和体温的似昼夜节律

小毛足鼠(Phodopus roborovskii)是分布在内蒙古草原沙地的一种小型哺乳动物,关于其生物学和生态学特征,尤其是生理学特征还知之甚少。似昼夜节律是动物行为学和生理生态学中备受关注的一个领域。在室内条件下通过体内埋置无线电传感器连续监测小毛足鼠的体温、用自动监测系统连续监测活动性和TSE LabMaster呼吸代谢测定系统连续测定了其代谢率的昼夜节律性。结果发现:小毛足鼠在夜间的平均体温是(37.27±0.39)℃,昼间的平均体温是(36.11±0.18)℃;在夜间的平均代谢率是(4.65±1.10)mLO2·g-1·h-1,昼间的平均代谢率是(3.09±0.42)mLO2·g-1·h-1;在夜间的平均活动率为(237±145)次/0.1h,昼间的平均活动率为(38±5)次/0.1h。小毛足鼠的代谢率、活动性和体温的峰值相位主要集中在夜间,属典型的夜行性动物。实验结果从行为学特性和生理学特征等新的角度支持了野外观察小毛足鼠是夜行性动物的推断。综合活动性、代谢率和体温三方面同步变化的特征,为小毛足鼠的似昼夜节律变化提供了新的机理性解释。研究也表明小毛足鼠是研究野生动物似昼夜节律变化机理的好模型。     

细菌调节蛋白Hfq研究进展

Hfq是一个高度保守的RNA结合蛋白,最初被发现是作为大肠杆茵(E.coli)RNA噬菌体QB复制所必需的管家因子,现在则被认为是细菌基因转录后调控的关键因子,广泛参与细茵多种生命活动的调控.与真核生物中Sm和Sm样蛋白相似,Hfq可以通过形成同源六聚体结合富舍A、U的单链RNA参与RNA间互作.同时Hfq蛋白还可与体内的多种RNA调节蛋白如polyA聚合酶Ⅰ(PAP Ⅰ)、多聚核苷酸磷酸化酶(PNP)、RNA酶E(RNase E)等并调节他们的活性.此外,Hfq对自身的表达也具有回馈抑制作用.本文主要结合Hfq的研究历史和最新进展,对其分子结构、作用机制、生理功能以及系统进化中的地位做一综述.     

消化道营养物质吸收代谢昼夜节律性调控机制的研究进展

昼夜节律是指在生物体内存在的以近似24h为周期的生物节律.昼夜节律的重要性质之一是内源节律的周期性,哺乳动物的生理和代谢节律受昼夜节律的控制.昼夜节律的振荡导致下游分子通路和生理过程发生节律性变化,对营养物质的消化、吸收和代谢有一定的调控作用.本文主要综述了消化道蛋白质、糖、脂类等营养物质吸收代谢的节律性及其调控机制,...     

Circadian Hormone Rhythms in Lipid Regulation

Many of the significant events that occur in the life of ananimal are regulated by hormones. Because lipids are the principalenergy reserve, it is axiomatic that the regulation of fat synthesisand mobilization would be closely interrelated with the regulationof physiological and behavioral events. The circadian rhythmsof prolactin and the corticosteroid hormones have importantroles in regulating daily and seasonal changes in body fat storesand in organizing the total animal so that metabolism, reproduction,and behavior are fully integrated.     

Behavioral and Serotonergic Regulation of Circadian Rhythms

Endogenous depression is often accompanied by alterations in core parameters of circadian rhythms, and antidepressant treatments, including serotonergic drugs, sleep deprivation and exercise, alter circadian phase or period in humans or animal models. Antidepressants may act in part through the circadian system, and behavioral antidepressants through a common serotonergic path to the clock. This review evaluates the evidence from animal models that serotonin (5-HT) mediates phase-shifting effects of behavioral stimuli on circadian rhythms. In rodents, 'exercise' stimulated during the rest phase of the rest-activity cycle induces large phase shifts of circadian rhythms. These shifts can be mimicked by short-term sleep deprivation without intense activity. During wheel running or sleep deprivation, 5-HT release in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) circadian clock is significantly elevated. Lesions of 5-HT afferents to the SCN attenuate phase shifts or entrainment induced by activity in response to some stimuli (e.g., triazolam injections in hamsters, treadmill running in mice) but not others (e.g., novel wheel confinement in hamsters). Antagonists selective to 5HT_{1, 2} or ₇ receptors do not attenuate shifts induced by wheel running, although 5-HT_2/7 antagonists do partially block shifts to saline injections. 5-HT agonists (e.g., 8-OH-DPAT) induce large shifts in vitro, but much smaller shifts in vivo, particularly if administered directly to the SCN. Procedures for inducing 5-HT supersensitivity in vivo result in larger shifts to 8-OH-DPAT. 5-HT stimuli may affect the clock by direct and indirect pathways, particularly through the thalamic intergeniculate leaflet, and the role of these pathways may differ across species. At the level of the SCN, 5-HT likely acts through 5-HT₇ receptors on neurons and possibly also glial cells. These receptors may be useful targets for the development of antidepressant drugs. In aggregate, the literature provides mixed support for the hypothesis that exercise or behavioral arousal shift the circadian clock by a 5-HT pathway; the role of indirect pathways, interactions with other transmitters, cellular adaptations to denervation, glial cells, and species differences remain to be more fully clarified. Serotonergic and behavioral stimuli provide an intriguing route to elucidate the circadian clockworks and their possible role in depression.     

Behavioral and Serotonergic Regulation of Circadian Rhythms

Endogenous depression is often accompanied by alterations in core parameters of circadian rhythms, and antidepressant treatments, including serotonergic drugs, sleep deprivation and exercise, alter circadian phase or period in humans or animal models. Antidepressants may act in part through the circadian system, and behavioral antidepressants through a common serotonergic path to the clock. This review evaluates the evidence from animal models that serotonin (5-HT) mediates phase-shifting effects of behavioral stimuli on circadian rhythms. In rodents, 'exercise' stimulated during the rest phase of the rest-activity cycle induces large phase shifts of circadian rhythms. These shifts can be mimicked by short-term sleep deprivation without intense activity. During wheel running or sleep deprivation, 5-HT release in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) circadian clock is significantly elevated. Lesions of 5-HT afferents to the SCN attenuate phase shifts or entrainment induced by activity in response to some stimuli (e.g., triazolam injections in hamsters, treadmill running in mice) but not others (e.g., novel wheel confinement in hamsters). Antagonists selective to 5HT_{1, 2} or ₇ receptors do not attenuate shifts induced by wheel running, although 5-HT_2/7 antagonists do partially block shifts to saline injections. 5-HT agonists (e.g., 8-OH-DPAT) induce large shifts in vitro, but much smaller shifts in vivo, particularly if administered directly to the SCN. Procedures for inducing 5-HT supersensitivity in vivo result in larger shifts to 8-OH-DPAT. 5-HT stimuli may affect the clock by direct and indirect pathways, particularly through the thalamic intergeniculate leaflet, and the role of these pathways may differ across species. At the level of the SCN, 5-HT likely acts through 5-HT₇ receptors on neurons and possibly also glial cells. These receptors may be useful targets for the development of antidepressant drugs. In aggregate, the literature provides mixed support for the hypothesis that exercise or behavioral arousal shift the circadian clock by a 5-HT pathway; the role of indirect pathways, interactions with other transmitters, cellular adaptations to denervation, glial cells, and species differences remain to be more fully clarified. Serotonergic and behavioral stimuli provide an intriguing route to elucidate the circadian clockworks and their possible role in depression.     

哺乳动物昼夜节律调节的神经基础——昼夜光感受器

哺乳动物昼夜光感受器为一组具有直接感光功能的特殊视网膜神经节细胞 ,其基本感光色素为黑视素 .昼夜光感受器具有直接、广谱和稳定感受昼夜光变化的功能特点 .昼夜光感受器的功能是通过导引作用 ,使下丘脑视交叉上核内的昼夜节律活动与外界明 暗周期变化同步     

Dopaminergic Regulation of Circadian Food Anticipatory Activity Rhythms in the Rat

Circadian activity rhythms are jointly controlled by a master pacemaker in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and by food-entrainable circadian oscillators (FEOs) located elsewhere. The SCN mediates synchrony to daily light-dark cycles, whereas FEOs generate activity rhythms synchronized with regular daily mealtimes. The location of FEOs generating food anticipation rhythms, and the pathways that entrain these FEOs, remain to be clarified. To gain insight into entrainment pathways, we developed a protocol for measuring phase shifts of anticipatory activity rhythms in response to pharmacological probes. We used this protocol to examine a role for dopamine signaling in the timing of circadian food anticipation. To generate a stable food anticipation rhythm, rats were fed 3h/day beginning 6-h after lights-on or in constant light for at least 3 weeks. Rats then received the D2 agonist quinpirole (1 mg/kg IP) alone or after pretreatment with the dopamine synthesis inhibitor α-methylparatyrosine (AMPT). By comparison with vehicle injections, quinpirole administered 1-h before lights-off (19h before mealtime) induced a phase delay of activity onset prior to the next meal. Delay shifts were larger in rats pretreated with AMPT, and smaller following quinpirole administered 4-h after lights-on. A significant shift was not observed in response to the D1 agonist SKF81297. These results provide evidence that signaling at D2 receptors is involved in phase control of FEOs responsible for circadian food anticipatory rhythms in rats.     

Insulin-FOXO3 Signaling Modulates Circadian Rhythms via Regulation of Clock Transcription

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On the Role of Histamine Receptors in the Regulation of Circadian Rhythms

Several lines of evidence suggest a regulatory role of histamine in circadian rhythms, but little is known about signaling pathways that would be involved in such a putative role. The aim of this study was to examine whether histamine mediates its effects on the circadian system through Hrh1 or Hrh3 receptors. We assessed both diurnal and free-running locomotor activity rhythms of Hrh1 ^-/- and Hrh3 ^-/- mice. We also determined the expression of Per1, Per2 and Bmal1 genes in the suprachiasmatic nuclei, several areas of the cerebral cortex and striatum under symmetric 24 h light-dark cycle at zeitgeber times 14 and 6 by using radioactive in situ hybridization. We found no differences between Hrh1 ^-/- and wild type mice in the length, amplitude and mesor of diurnal and free-running activity rhythms as well as in expression of Per1, Per2 and Bmal1 genes in any of the examined brain structures. The amplitude of free-running activity rhythm of the Hrh3 ^-/- mice was significantly flattened, whereas the expression of the clock genes in Hrh3 ^-/- mice was similar to the wild type animals in all of the assessed brain structures. Therefore, the knockout of Hrh1 receptor had no effects on the circadian rhythm of spontaneous locomotion, and a knockout of Hrh3 receptor caused a substantial reduction of free-running activity rhythm amplitude, but none of these knockout models affected the expression patterns of the core clock genes in any of the studied brain structures.     

Potential of the Newborn Rabbit for Circadian Rhythms Research

Developmental studies of circadian function in mammals are generally difficult because of the close interaction between mother and young. The European rabbit presents an exception, providing developmental chronobiologists with an unusual opportunity to study the early development of circadian function. Doe rabbits only visit their newborn young once a day to nurse for a few minutes, and pups anticipate this regular event with heightened arousal and by uncovering of the nest. Both the mother's nursing visit and pups' anticipatory arousal represent well synchronized circadian rhythms. They also represent discrete, quantifiable events that can be readily manipulated by controlling does' access to the pups, by cross-fostering or by eliminating a nursing either before, during or after the development of visual function. The doe's long absence makes it possible to carry out surgical or other interventions without disrupting the normal pattern of maternal care, and the correspondence between pups' anticipatory arousal and the expression of c-Fos in hypothalamic nuclei demonstrates the suitability of this model for investigating the neural basis of early circadian function.     

Potential of the Newborn Rabbit for Circadian Rhythms Research

Developmental studies of circadian function in mammals are generally difficult because of the close interaction between mother and young. The European rabbit presents an exception, providing developmental chronobiologists with an unusual opportunity to study the early development of circadian function. Doe rabbits only visit their newborn young once a day to nurse for a few minutes, and pups anticipate this regular event with heightened arousal and by uncovering of the nest. Both the mother's nursing visit and pups' anticipatory arousal represent well synchronized circadian rhythms. They also represent discrete, quantifiable events that can be readily manipulated by controlling does' access to the pups, by cross-fostering or by eliminating a nursing either before, during or after the development of visual function. The doe's long absence makes it possible to carry out surgical or other interventions without disrupting the normal pattern of maternal care, and the correspondence between pups' anticipatory arousal and the expression of c-Fos in hypothalamic nuclei demonstrates the suitability of this model for investigating the neural basis of early circadian function.