Advisor Information
Dr. Ryan Wong
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
2-3-2018 9:00 AM
End Date
2-3-2018 10:15 AM
Abstract
Two particular styles of stress coping behaviors have been identified as evolutionarily conserved across vertebrate species and are referred to as proactive and reactive. Reactive and proactive stress coping styles have distinct 5-HT expression profiles with greater expression of 5-HT found in proactive individuals. It was previously shown that kiss1 expression in the ventral habenula (vHb) presynaptically activates kiss-r1 which can alter glutamatergic levels in co-localizing cells in the vHb that terminate in the median raphe (MR). This can directly or indirectly increase 5-HT expression in the MR via glutamate. It is unknown whether kisspeptin expression in the vHb can regulate 5-HT levels in reactive and proactive coping styles.I hypothesize that proactive zebrafish (Danio rerio) should have higher expression of kiss1ra mRNA in the vHb than reactive individuals as a greater sensitivity to kiss1 and the co-release of glutamate could in turn lead to increased expression of 5-HT via 5-HT neurons in the MR. We used in situ hybridization to localize the expression of kiss1ra mRNA in the vHb. Despite trying to optimize the in situ hybridization reaction parameters by running seven different permutations, we have yet to identify a parameter that demonstrates our probe is specifically binding to kiss1ra mRNA. Further adjustments will need to be made to identify the potential issue(s). Kisspeptin’s effects on behavior have not been well studied and it is an area that could provide novel insight into stress research.
Differences in habenula kisspeptin expression and its effects on stress coping styles in zebrafish, Danio rerio
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Two particular styles of stress coping behaviors have been identified as evolutionarily conserved across vertebrate species and are referred to as proactive and reactive. Reactive and proactive stress coping styles have distinct 5-HT expression profiles with greater expression of 5-HT found in proactive individuals. It was previously shown that kiss1 expression in the ventral habenula (vHb) presynaptically activates kiss-r1 which can alter glutamatergic levels in co-localizing cells in the vHb that terminate in the median raphe (MR). This can directly or indirectly increase 5-HT expression in the MR via glutamate. It is unknown whether kisspeptin expression in the vHb can regulate 5-HT levels in reactive and proactive coping styles.I hypothesize that proactive zebrafish (Danio rerio) should have higher expression of kiss1ra mRNA in the vHb than reactive individuals as a greater sensitivity to kiss1 and the co-release of glutamate could in turn lead to increased expression of 5-HT via 5-HT neurons in the MR. We used in situ hybridization to localize the expression of kiss1ra mRNA in the vHb. Despite trying to optimize the in situ hybridization reaction parameters by running seven different permutations, we have yet to identify a parameter that demonstrates our probe is specifically binding to kiss1ra mRNA. Further adjustments will need to be made to identify the potential issue(s). Kisspeptin’s effects on behavior have not been well studied and it is an area that could provide novel insight into stress research.