Lab
Naomi Rance
Rotation Labs
Robert Sloviter, Naomi Rance, Konrad Zinsmaier
Minor
Molecular and Cellular Biology; Pharmacology
Research Summary
Menopause is accompanied by dramatic changes in neuronal morphology and neuropeptide gene expression
in the hypothalamic infundibular (arcuate) nucleus. Neurons that express neurokinin B (NKB) and kisspeptin
hypertrophy, and this change is accompanied by increased cell size, increased nuclear size, and elevated NKB
and kisspeptin gene expression. Moreover, ovariectomy and steroid replacement has dramatic effects on the
morphology and neuropeptide gene expression of arcuate NKB neurons in multiple mammalian species. It has
recently been shown that mutations in the genes encoding NKB and NKB receptor (NK3R) exhibit
hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, characterized by absence of pubertal development. These data provide
compelling evidence that arcuate NKB neurons play an essential role in the regulation of reproduction and the
physiology of menopause. Despite the importance of these neurons for the central control reproduction, basic
knowledge about their anatomical and electrophysiological features is lacking. My project involves the examination of
electrophysiological and morphological properties of single arcuate NKB neurons and the
effects of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement upon these properties.
Publications
Neurokinin B and the hypothalamic regulation of reproduction (2010) Rance NE, Krajewski SJ, Smith MA, Cholanian M, Dacks PA, Brain Research, Dec 10; 1364:116-28
|
