Date: Jun 8 (Wed), 2016  12:00～

Venue: Conference Room, IMEG

 

Title:
How genetic polymorphism influences stress vulnerability

 

Speaker:

Tsuyoshi Koide
National Institute of Genetics, Mouse Genomics Resource Laboratory

 

Abstract:
It is known that individual difference of stress vulnerability is largely affected by genetic variation. To understand genetic basis of stress vulnerability, we have been studying behavior in wild-derived strains, particularly MSM which exhibits higher anxiety-like behavior than a laboratory strain B6. We have conducted mapping of genes related to anxiety-like behavior in MSM, and found PACAP (Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide) gene as a candidate. Mice of a congenic strain which have PACAP gene derived from MSM strain showed higher anxiety-like behavior as well as higher PACAP expression levels than B6. Given that PACAP is a peptidergic neurotransmitter and known to induce stress responses, we examined stress response to acute restraint stress in the congenic mice. The congenic mice showed significantly higher level of corticosterone after release from restriction treatment in the congenic mice compared to B6. The results suggested that higher expression of PACAP causes elevated stress responses. In the seminar, I would like to discuss how genetic polymorphism in the PACAP gene affects behavior in wild mice.