Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Centre for Neuroscience. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on October 31, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Georgetown University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

abstract: Externalizing behaviors are pervasive, widespread, and disruptive across a multitude of settings and developmental contexts. While the conventional diathesis-stress model typically measures the disordered end of the spectrum, studies that span the range of behavior, from externalizing to competence behaviors, are necessary to see the full picture. To that end, this study examined the additive and nonadditive relations of a dimension of parenting (ranging from warm to rejecting), and variants in dopamine, vasopressin, and neuropeptide-y receptor genes on externalizing/competence in a large sample of predominantly Caucasian twin children in toddlerhood, middle childhood, and early adolescence. Variants within each gene were hypothesized to increase biological susceptibility to both negative and positive environments. Consistent with prediction, warmth related to lower externalizing/higher competence at all ages. Earlier levels of externalizing/competence washed out the effect of parental warmth on future externalizing/competence with the exception of father warmth in toddlerhood marginally predicting change in externalizing/competence from toddlerhood to middle childhood. Warmth was a significant moderator of the heritability of behavior in middle childhood and early adolescence such that behavior was less heritable (mother report) and more heritable (father report) in low warmth environments. Interactions with warmth and the dopamine and vasopressin genes in middle childhood and early adolescence emphasize the moderational role gene variants play in relations between the rearing environment and child behavior. For dopamine, the long variant related to increased sensitivity to parent warmth such that the children displayed more externalizing behaviors when exposed to rejection but they also displayed more competence behaviors when exposed to high warmth. Vasopressin moderation was only present under conditions of parental warmth, not rejection. Interactions with neuropeptide-y and warmth were not significant. The picture that emerges is one of gene-environment interplay, wherein the influence of both parenting and child genotype each depend on the level of the other. As genetic research moves forward, gene variants previously implicated as conferring risk for disorder should be reexamined in conjunction with salient aspects of the environment on the full range of the behavioral outcome of interest. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Psychology 2011

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:37:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ManaraBBCD_DISSERT.pdf: 1554643 bytes, checksum: e4b820c02db19b42acca3889a1b08851 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-04-25 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Neuropeptide S (NPS) is an endogenous 20-aminoacid peptide which binds a G protein-coupled receptor named NPSR. This peptidergic system is involved in the modulation of several biological functions, such as locomotion, anxiety, nociception, food intake and motivational behaviors. Studies have shown the participation of NPSR receptors in mediating the hyperlocomotor effects of NPS. A growing body of evidence suggests the participation of adenosinergic, dopaminergic and CRF systems on the hyperlocomotor effects of NPS. Considering that little is known about the role of dopaminergic system in mediating NPS-induced hyperlocomotion, the present study aims to investigate the locomotor actions of intracerebroventricular (icv) NPS in mice pretreated with α-metil-p-tirosine (AMPT, inhibitor of dopamine synthesis), reserpine (inhibitor of dopamine vesicle storage) or sulpiride (D2 receptor antagonist) in the open field test. A distinct group of animals received the same pretreatments described above (AMPT, reserpine or sulpiride) and the hyperlocomotor effects of methylphenidate (dopamine reuptake inhibitor) were investigated in the open field. NPS and methylphenidate increased the mouse locomotor activity. AMPT per se did not change the locomotion of the animals, but it partially reduced the hyperlocomotion of methylphenidate. The pretreatment with AMPT did not affect the psychostimulant effects of NPS. Both reserpine and sulpiride inhibited the stimulatory actions of NPS and methylphenidate. These findings show that the hyperlocomotor effects of methylphenidate, but not NPS, were affected by the pretreatment with AMPT. Furthermore, methylphenidate- and NPS-induced hyperlocomotion was impaired by reserpine and sulpiride pretreatments. Together, data suggests that NPS can increase locomotion even when the synthesis of catecholamines was impaired. Additionally, the hyperlocomotor effects of NPS and methylphenidate depend on monoamines vesicular storaged, mainly dopamine, and on the activation of D2 receptors. The psychostimulant effects of NPS via activation of dopaminergic system display clinical significance on the treatment of diseases which involves dopaminergic pathways, such as Parkinson s disease and drug addiction / Neuropept?deo S (NPS) ? um pept?deo end?geno formado por 20 amino?cidos e ? o ligante de um receptor acoplado ? prote?na G chamado NPSR, o qual est? envolvido na modula??o de v?rias fun??es biol?gicas centrais como locomo??o, ansiedade, nocicep??o, ingest?o de alimento e comportamentos motivacionais. J? ? conhecido que o efeito hiperlocomotor do NPS ? mediado pelos receptores NPSR e parece depender da ativa??o do sistema adenosin?rgico, dopamin?rgico e do sistema peptid?rgico do CRF. Considerando o pouco conhecimento acerca do envolvimento do sistema dopamin?rgico na media??o do aumento da atividade locomotora induzido pelo NPS, o presente estudo objetiva investigar as a??es motoras da administra??o intracerebroventricular (icv) de NPS em camundongos pr?-tratados com α-metil-p-tirosina (AMPT, inibidor da enzima de s?ntese de dopamina), reserpina (inibidor do armazenamento da dopamina em ves?culas) ou sulpiride (inibidor de receptores D2 de dopamina), em animais submetidos ao teste de atividade locomotora no campo aberto. Camundongos Swiss machos (30-35 g) foram submetidos ? cirurgia estereot?xica para a implanta??o de uma c?nula-guia no ventr?culo lateral. No 3? dia ap?s a cirurgia, os animais foram pr?-tratados com AMPT (250 mg/kg, ip, 24 h antes do teste), reserpina (2 mg/kg, SC, 24h) ou sulpiride (25 mg/kg, ip, 45 min) e depois foram tratados com NPS (1 nmol, 2 μl; icv, 5 min) e submetidos ao teste do campo aberto. Para fins de compara??o, um grupo distinto de animais recebeu os mesmos pr?-tratamentos acima descritos (AMPT, reserpina ou sulpiride) e o efeito hiperlocomotor do metilfenidato (5 mg/kg, sc, 15 min; inibidor da recapta??o de dopamina) foi investigado no campo aberto. O teste do campo aberto avalia a locomo??o espont?nea dos animais atrav?s da dist?ncia percorrida (m) e do tempo de imobilidade (m) durante 60 min. O NPS aumentou a atividade locomotora dos animais na dose de 1 nmol. O AMPT per se n?o causou altera??o na locomo??o dos animais. Por outro lado, o AMPT reduziu parcialmente o efeito hiperlocomotor do metilfenidato, mas n?o foi capaz de afetar a a??o hiperlocomotora do NPS. Tanto o pr?-tratamento com reserpina como o com sulpiride foram capazes de inibir o efeito estimulat?rio do NPS, assim como o do metilfenidato. Estes achados mostram que o efeito hiperlocomotor do metilfenidato, mas n?o do NPS, foi afetado pela administra??o de AMPT. Al?m disso, tanto o efeito do metilfenidato quanto o do NPS foram prejudicados pelos pr?-tratamentos com reserpina e sulpiride. Em conjunto, sugere-se que o NPS pode promover est?mulo excitat?rio mesmo quando a s?ntese de catecolaminas foi prejudicada. Ainda conclui-se que o efeito hiperlocomotor do NPS e do metilfenidato depende dos estoques vesiculares de monoaminas, em particular dopamina, e da ativa??o do receptor dopamin?rgico D2. O efeito psicoestimulante do NPS por meio da ativa??o do sistema dopamin?rgico pode apresentar import?ncia cl?nica no tratamento de doen?as que envolvem a via dopamin?rgica, como o Mal de Parkinson e a depend?ncia qu?mica

A elucidação dos mecanismos moleculares pelos quais tratamentos hormonais alteram o início da puberdade é de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento de estratégias que reduzam a idade ao primeiro parto, e consequentemente a taxa de desfrute do rebanho Nelore. Foram investigados os efeitos do uso de dispositivos de progesterona, e do estradiol endógeno, sobre mecanismos moleculares controlando a obtenção da puberdade de novilhas Nelore peripúberes. Especificamente, como as diferenças na expressão de genes relativos à reprodução em duas áreas do hipotálamo. Trinta e cinco novilhas Nelores não púberes, e com idade entre 13 e 14 meses, foram divididas em quatro tratamentos experimentais (nove ou oito por tratamento): dispositivo de P4 sem estradiol (SP); dispositivo de P4 com estradiol (PE); sem dispositivo de P4 e sem estradiol (SS); e sem dispositivo de P4 e com estradiol (SE). As novilhas foram alimentadas no cocho pós desmame até atingirem 295 ± 11 kg, com fornecimento de água à vontade. Ao término do tratamento hormonal as novilhas foram abatidas e as porções de hipotálamo colhidas para processamento e armazenagem a -80 ºC. O RNA total do tecido hipotalâmico foi extraído, tratado com DNAse I e submetido à síntese de cDNA para estudo da expressão gênica por PCR em tempo real (qRT-PCR). Foram formados pools de RNA para a realização de um estudo abrangente da administração de progesterona e do efeito do estradiol endógeno e das diferenças entre áreas do hipotálamo, realizado por sequenciamento de nova geração (RNA-Seq), de forma a identificar possíveis genes candidatos no hipotálamo. Foram encontrados genes diferencialmente expressos alterados pelos tratamentos e entre as áreas do hipotálamo relativos à obtenção da puberdade. / The understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which nutrition, genetics and hormonal treatments affect the beginning of puberty is of great importance for developing strategies aiming to reduce the age at first calving, and therefore increase the slaughter rate in Nellore cattle. The effects of progesterone device and of endogenous estradiol on the molecular mechanisms controlling the attainment of puberty in Nellore heifers were investigated. Specifically, the molecular pathways of progesterone and estradiol were studied in the hypothalamus. Thirty five non-pubertal heifers, between 13 and 14 months of age, were divided into four treatment (nine or eight per treatment): P4 device without estradiol (SP), P4 device with estradiol (PE), without P4 device and without estradiol (SS), and without P4 device and with estradiol (SE). The heifers were fed after weaning until reach 295 ± 11 Kg, with water access. At the end of the hormonal treatments all heifers were slaughtered and the hypothalamus areas were harvested, processed and then also stored at -80°C. Total RNA of hypothalamus were extracted, treated with DNase I and submitted to cDNA synthesis for gene expression quantification by real time PCR (qRT-PCR). RNA samples were pooling to realize a comprehensive study of the effects of progesterone administration and endogenous estrogen on attainment of puberty by next-generation sequencing (RNA-Seq), in order to identify possible candidate genes in the hypothalamus. Genes diffentially expressed between hypothalamic areas and affected by treatments were found.

Investigou-se o efeito da leptina exógena e do maior consumo de energia, sobre o padrão da expressão de genes no hipotálamo de novilhas zebuínas; de modo a elucidar o mecanismo de sinalização da leptina no hipotálamo e os genes responsáveis pela obtenção da puberdade. Trinta e seis novilhas não púberes, e com idade entre 18 e 20 meses, foram divididas em três grupos experimentais: baixa energia (BAIXA), alta energia (ALTA), baixa energia com administração de leptina recombinante ovina (BAIXA+LEP), totalizando 56 dias de tratamento. Vinte e quatro novilhas foram abatidas ao apresentar sinais de puberdade, sendo eles: concentração de progesterona no soro superior a 1 ng/mL por duas amostras seguidas e presença de corpo lúteo detectável por ultra-sonografia. O hipotálamo foi colhido e armazenado a -80ºC. As amostras foram submetidas à extração do RNA total, tratadas com DNAse I e submetidas à síntese de cDNA. A quantificação relativa de quatro genes candidatos reconhecidamente envolvidos com a sinalização hipotalâmica da leptina em bovinos: NPY, NPY-Y1, NPY-Y4 e SOCS-3, foi feita através de PCR quantitativo (tempo real). Não houve efeito da administração de leptina sobre a expressão do NPY (P=0,70), ou de seus receptores: NPY-Y1 (P=0,27) e NPY-Y4 (P=0,92) no início da puberdade. A expressão de SOCS-3 foi reduzida (P=0,05) no hipotálamo de novilhas tratadas com leptina, o que sugere menor ação inibitória sobre a leptina. Em novilhas alimentadas com dieta de alta energia, a expressão do NPY-Y1 foi reduzida (P=0,04), o que indica que o hipotálamo estaria menos sensível à ação do NPY, permitindo a entrada precoce em puberdade. Nos demais genes estudados, NPY (P=0,75), NPY-Y4 (P=0,92) e SOCS-3 (P=0,24), a dieta não alterou significativamente suas expressões hipotalâmicas. Estudo mais abrangente do efeito da nutrição e da administração de leptina foi realizado através de hibridização em microarranjos de DNA, objetivando a identificação de possíveis genes candidatos, expressos no hipotálamo, que influenciam na obtenção da puberdade em novilhas Nelore tratadas com leptina ou submetidas à dieta de alta energia. Foram encontrados 78 genes cuja expressão foi alterada pela densidade energética da dieta (P=0,05) no hipotálamo das novilhas Nelore, destes foram selecionados os que apresentaram razões de expressão da ordem de 1,4 ou mais, totalizando 20 genes. Entre esses se destaca o gene da &beta;-arrestina 1 (ARRB1), que foi 1,40 vezes mais expresso (P=0,04) em novilhas submetidas à dieta de alta energia, pois atua na mediação da dessensibilização dos receptores acoplados à proteína-G-(GPCRs)1, como os receptores de NPY. Foram encontrados 134 genes diferencialmente expressos (P=0,05) devido a aplicação de leptina. Dentre os 80 genes que apresentaram razões superiores a 1,4, 18 genes tiveram a expressão reduzida, e 62 tiveram a expressão aumentada pela aplicação de leptina. Destes, alguns estão envolvidos na regulação da sinalização da leptina. O gene SRC foi menos expresso (1,64 vezes; P=0,04) em novilhas tratadas com leptina, o que sugere menor ação inibitória pela SHP-2. A proteína SOCS-2 foi 1,43 vezes (P=0,01) mais expressa no hipotálamo de novilhas tratadas com leptina. Sabe-se que, ao contrário de SOCS-1 e SOCS-3, CIS e SOCS-2 não se ligam, ou inibem, as janus kinases. O STAT-3 foi 2,14 vezes (P=0,03) mais expresso em novilhas tratadas com leptina, e sua ativação possibilita a ligação hipotalâmica da leptina com seu receptor (Ob-Rb). As IGFPB-1 e -2 foram mais expressas no hipotálamo de novilhas tratadas com leptina que em novilhas não tratadas, sendo IGFPB-1 1,78 vezes (P=0,04) mais expressa e IGFPB-2 1,89 vezes (P=0,05). As IGFPBs podem desempenhar função de potencialização da ação do IGF-1, ou exercer ação inibitória. Conclui-se que tanto o consumo de energia quanto a aplicação com leptina influenciaram o padrão de expressão gênica no hipotálamo de novilhas Nelore. A modulação da quantidade do receptor do NPY, NPY-Y1, no hipotálamo pode ser uma via importante pela qual a nutrição afeta o início da puberdade em novilhas. E ainda que estudos mais aprofundados de expressão dos genes encontrados nas hibridizações por microarranjo poderão revelar interações mais concisas entre os genes, a nutrição e a leptina na obtenção da puberdade. / It was investigated the effect of exogenous leptin and the high energy intake on gene expression pattern in the hypothalamus of zebuine heifers; in a way to elucidate the mechanism of leptin signaling in hypothalamus and the responsible genes for puberty. Thirty six heifers not in puberty at 18 and 20 months of age were divided in three experimental groups: low energy diet (LOW), high energy diet (HIGH), low energy diet with administration of recombinant ovine leptin (LOW+LEP), totalizing 56 days of treatment. Twenty four heifers were slaughtered when presented the signals of puberty: progesterone serum concentration above 1 ng/mL for two followed weeks and the presence of detectable corpus luteum by ultrasonography. The hypothalamus was collected and stored at -80ºC. Samples were submitted to total RNA extraction, treated with DNAse I and submitted to cDNA synthesis. The relative quantification of four candidate genes admittedly involved with hypothalamic leptin signaling in bovine: NPY, NPY-Y1, NPY-Y4 and SOCS-3, was evaluated through quantitative PCR (real time). There was no effect of leptin administration on NPY expression (P=0.70), or on its receptors: NPY-Y1 (P=0.27) and NPY-Y4 (P=0.92) in the onset of puberty. The expression of SOCS-3 was reduced (P=0.05) in the hypothalamus of heifers treated with leptin, what suggests lower inhibitory action over leptin. In heifers fed high energy diets, the expression of NPY-Y1 was reduced (P=0.04), which indicates that the hypothalamus would be less sensitive to the action of NPY, allowing the precocious onset of puberty. In other studied genes, NPY (P=0.75), NPY-Y4 (P=0.92) and SOCS-3 (P=0.24), the diet did not significantly altered their hypothalamic expressions. A more comprehensive study regarding the effect of nutrition and leptin administration was performed through the hybridization in DNA microarrangements, aiming the identification of possible candidate genes, expressed in hypothalamus that influence in the onset of puberty in Nelore heifers treated with leptin or submitted to high energy diets. It was found 78 genes whose expression was altered by the energy density of the diet (P<0.05) in the hypothalamus of Nelore heifers. From them, it was selected those genes which presented rates of expression in the order of 1.4 or more, totalizing 20 genes. From them, the highlight gene was &beta;-arrestin 1 (ARRB1) which was 1.40 more expressed (P=0.04) in heifers fed high energy diet due to its action in the mediation of receptors desensibilization coupled to protein-G-(GPCRs)1, as the receptors of NPY. It was found 134 genes differently expressed (P<0.05) due to leptin administration. From the 80 genes that presented rates of expression higher than 1.4, 18 genes had their expression reduced and 62 had their expression increased by leptin administration. Some of these 62 genes are involved in the regulation of leptin signaling. The gene SRC was the less expressed (1.64 times; P=0.04) in heifers treated with leptin what suggests lower inhibitory action by SHP-2. The protein SOCS-2 was 1.43 times (P=0.01) more expressed in the hypothalamus of heifers treated with leptin. It is known that on the contrary of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3, CIS and SOCS-2 do not bind or inhibit, as janus kinases. The STAT-3 was 2.14 times (P=0.03) more expressed in heifers treated with leptin and its activation enables the hypothalamic binding of leptin and its receptor (Ob-Rb). The IGFPB-1 and -2 were more expressed in the hypothalamus of heifers treated with leptin than the animals not treated, being the IGFPB-1 1.78 times (P=0.04) more expressed and the IGFPB-2 1.89 times (P=0.05). The IGFPBs could play a function of IGF-1 action enhancer or exert an inhibitory action. It is concluded that both energy intake and leptin administration influenced gene expression pattern in the hypothalamus of Nelore heifers. The modulation of the receptor quantity of NPY, NPY-Y1 in hypothalamus could be an important route in which nutrition affects the onset of puberty in heifers. Moreover, more detailed studies regarding gene expression in hybridization by microarrangement could reveal more concise interactions between genes, nutrition and leptin in the onset of puberty.

Le Neuropeptide FF (FLFQPQRFa, NPFF) est un neurotransmetteur peptidique, caractérisé par son activité pharmacologique anti-opioïde. Ce peptide active deux récepteurs couplés aux protéines G, NPFF1 et NPFF2. De nombreuses données suggèrent que le NPFF module l'activité opioïde par un effet direct sur les récepteurs opioïdes situés sur les mêmes neurones plutôt que via un effet indirect dû à une modification d'un circuit neuronal. Néanmoins, les mécanismes moléculaires sous-jacents de ce cross-talk entre les récepteurs sont encore mal compris. Ce travail est composé de deux parties principales : 1) les mécanismes anti-opioïdes médiés par les récepteurs du Neuropeptide FF. Nous avons testé les activités directes et anti-opioïdes des récepteurs NPFF sur les canaux calciques voltage-dépendants activés par dépolarisation sur des neurones du noyau raphé dorsal (DRN) de souris. Le récepteurs NPFF dans ces neurones sont préférentiellement couplés aux protéines G de type Gi/o. Les effets directs et anti-opioïdes induits par les récepteurs NPFF interviennent dans des gammes de concentration différentes indiquant que l'activité anti-opioïde spécifique n'est pas une conséquence directe de leur activité sur les canaux calciques. De plus, nous avons comparé ces interactions entre récepteurs NPFF et NOP (nociception, N/OFQ) observés sur des neurones dissociés de souris avec celles observés sur une lignée cellulaire de neuroblastome humain, SH-SY5Y. Les données obtenues en imagerie calcique et dans le test de stimulation de liaison du [35S]GTPyS aux protéines G, montrent un rôle potentiel important des radeaux membrane/lipides (rafts), qui agirait comme une plateforme de signalisation dans les effets du NPFF. 2) le rôle du Neuropeptide FF dans la dépression. Afin de tester le rôle potentiel pharmacologique du NPFF dans la dépression, des injections locales du 1DMe, un analogue du NPFF, ont été réalisées dans le DRN de souris. Nous avons observé une forte activité de cet analogue dans le test de suspension de la queue test et dans le "splash test", comme respectivement une diminution des temps d'immobilité et une augmentation du temps de toilettage. Du fait de l'existence d'un fort effet antidépressif des antagonistes des récepteurs NOP après injection dans le DRN et de l'effet cellulaire anti-N/OFQ du NPFF que nous avons démontré, il est plausible d'envisager que le NPFF possède un effet antidépressif via son action anti-opioïde sur les récepteurs nociceptine. / Neuropeptide FF (FLFQPQRFa, NPFF) is considered as a potent opioid-modulating peptide. It exhibits the opioid-modulation effect by activating two G protein-coupled receptors, NPFF1 and NPFF2. Several observations suggest that the anti-opioid effect of NPFF is more likely mediated by a cross-talk between NPFF and opioid receptors in the same neuron rather than an indirect effect due to a neuronal circuitry. Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the cross-talk between both receptors remain need to be investigated. This work is composed of two main parts : 1) Neuropeptide FF receptors and the molecular mechanisms of their anti-opioid effect. We tested both direct and anti-opioid activities of NPFF receptors on Ca2+ transient induced by depolarization in mouse dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) neurons. The NPFF receptor preferentially coupled with Gi/o proteins, which induced the direct activity. Different threshold to observe the direct and anti-opioid effect of NPFF suggested that the specific anti-opioid activity of NPFF receptors was not a direct consequence of their activity on Ca2+ transients. Furthermore, we studied the molecular mechanisms underlying the cross-talk between NPFF and NOP (Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ, N/OFQ) receptors in mouse DRN neurons and SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Data from Ca2+ imaging, [35S]GTPyS binding assay and western blot indicated that cholesterol-rich lipid rafts, which acted as a "platform", were involved in NPFF anti-N/OFQ effect, and the siRNA interference data showed that GRK2 protein mediated this process. 2) The potential role of Neuropeptide FF in anti-depressant response. In order to test the potential role of Neuropeptide FF in anti-depression, the NPFF analogue 1DMe was locally injected into mouse DRN. We observed a decrease of immobility time and an increase of grooming time, in tail suspension test and splash test, respectively, after 1DMe treatment. RF9, the specific antagonist of NPFF receptors, reversed the anti-depression effect of 1DMe. Referencing the strong anti-depression effect of NOP receptor antagonists after DRN injection and the cellular anti-N/OFQ activity of NPFF receptors in this nucleus, the hypothesis that the anti-depression effect of NPFF may due to its cellular anti-N/OFQ activity is interesting to be further verified.

L’espèce Astyanax mexicanus est composée de deux morphotypes de poissons radicalement différents : le très classique poisson de surface vivant dans des rivières et le poisson cavernicole (CF, cavefish) aveugle et dépigmenté. Ces deux morphotypes diffèrent sur de nombreux aspects, aussi bien en termes de modalités sensorielles, qu’en termes de physiologie ou de comportement. L’approche « Evo-Devo » consiste à tenter de relier des différences développementales précoces à des modifications phénotypiques plus tardives. Dans le cadre de ce travail, nous nous sommes concentrés sur les modifications précoces de l’hypothalamus et de l’œil du CF. Nous montrons que des modifications précoces de signalisation de morphogènes tels que Shh ou Fgf conduisent à une modification de la taille des groupes de neurones peptidergiques au sein de l’hypothalamus, via les facteurs de transcription Lhx, impliqués dans la spécification neuronale. Plus particulièrement, nous montrons l’augmentation de taille des groupes de neurones NPY ainsi qu’hypocretine, qui à son tour provoque une réduction du sommeil chez le CF.Nous nous sommes aussi intéressés à l’oeil du CF, qui commence par se développer avant de dégénérer. Une réduction du quadrant ventral de la rétine avait été précédemment décrit. Nous rafinons cette description grâce à une étude de la régionalisation de la coupe optique du CF qui suggère une réduction de la rétine temporale plus spécifiquement. Nous proposons également une première description de la morphogénèse de l’oeil du CF grace à l’imagerie live de lignées transgéniques fluorescentes. Cette étude révèle un défaut d’invagination de la coupe optique chez le CF. Globalement, ce travail ouvre la voie vers une meilleure compréhension de l’évolution de la tête du CF. / Astyanax mexicanus is a fish species comprising two strikingly different morphotypes : the classical river-dwelling surface fish and the blind depigmented cavefish. These two morphs differ in many aspects in terms of sensorial modalities, physiology and behaviour. In the Evo-Devo approach, we try to link early developmental differences to later phenotypic modifications. Here we focus on the early modification of the hypothalamus and the eye of the cavefish. We show that early signalling modification of morphogens such as Shh or Fgfs lead to the modification of neuropeptidergic clusters in the hypothalamus via the neuronal fate-specifying transcription factors Lhx. More particularly, we show an increase in NPY and hypocretin cluster size. In turn, this increased hypocretin cluster size triggers a reduction of sleep in the cavefish larva.We also examine the embryonic eye of the cavefish which first develops before degenerating. This eye was previously reported to have a reduced ventral retina. We refine this description by studying the regionalisation of the cavefish optic cup and suggest that this reduction concerns more specifically the temporal retina. We also attempt a first description of the cavefish eye morphogenesis by live imaging on fluorescent transgenic lines. This description reveals a defect in the optic cup invagination of the cavefish. Overall, this work started deciphering the developmental evolution of the cavefish head.

The ability of organisms to sense – and properly respond to – their environment is crucial to their survival. Higher organisms communicate with conspecifics to ensure the survival of the species. Nematodes, such as the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, are ubiquitous across all biomes, and rely on chemical communication to convey information with one another. The small molecules they utilize in this communication are called ascarosides. These modular pheromones are employed by all taxa, ranging from Caenorhabditis to Ascaris. The ascaroside, ascr#8, is release by hermaphroditic C. elegans to attract potential mates. Previous work has shown that a class of male specific neurons are required for sensation of this pheromone. Here, we show that these neurons initiate a neural circuit modulated by the FMRFamide-like neuropeptide, flp-3. This neuropeptide is sensed by a set of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), NPR-10 and FRPR-16. Together, these components determine the behavioral valence of males to ascr#8. Within the male-specific sensory neurons, the CEM, we show that another group of GPCRs sense the ascr#8. Two of these receptors, DMSR-12 and SRW-97, are expressed in the cilia, suggesting their involvement in direct sensation of the cue. As a targeted approach to identifying and confirming receptors for ascr#8, we have developed a bioactive photoaffinity probe. We have also confirmed that the ability of ascr#8 to attract males is conserved across the genus. Together, these studies coalesce to deepen our understanding of sex-specific chemosensation and neuronal processing. These results can be used to better understand the defects that are seen in neurodegenerative diseases – many of which exhibit sex-specific defects in neuronal processing.

Background Myocardial infarction (MI) induces remodeling in stellate ganglion neurons (SGNs). Objective We investigated whether infarct site has any impact on the laterality of morphologic changes or neuropeptide expression in stellate ganglia. Methods Yorkshire pigs underwent left circumflex coronary artery (LCX; n = 6) or right coronary artery (RCA; n = 6) occlusion to create left- and right-sided MI, respectively (control: n = 10). At 5 ± 1 weeks after MI, left and right stellate ganglia (LSG and RSG, respectively) were collected to determine neuronal size, as well as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity. Results Compared with control, LCX and RCA MIs increased mean neuronal size in the LSG (451 ± 25 vs 650 ± 34 vs 577 ± 55 μm2, respectively; P =.0012) and RSG (433 ± 22 vs 646 ± 42 vs 530 ± 41 μm2, respectively; P =.002). TH immunoreactivity was present in the majority of SGNs. Both LCX and RCA MIs were associated with significant decreases in the percentage of TH-negative SGNs, from 2.58% ± 0.2% in controls to 1.26% ± 0.3% and 0.7% ± 0.3% in animals with LCX and RCA MI, respectively, for LSG (P =.001) and from 3.02% ± 0.4% in controls to 1.36% ± 0.3% and 0.68% ± 0.2% in LCX and RCA MI, respectively, for RSG (P =.002). Both TH-negative and TH-positive neurons increased in size after LCX and RCA MI. Neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity was also increased significantly by LCX and RCA MI in both ganglia. Conclusion Left- and right-sided MIs equally induced morphologic and neurochemical changes in LSG and RSG neurons, independent of infarct site. These data indicate that afferent signals transduced after MI result in bilateral changes and provide a rationale for bilateral interventions targeting the sympathetic chain for arrhythmia modulation.