昆虫微小脳の視覚情報高次処理・統合に関する組織学的解析

• Project/Area Number: 12048223
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Fukuoka University
• Principal Investigator: 下東 美樹 福岡大学, 理学部, 助手 (60078590)
• Project Period (FY): 2000 – 2001
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2001)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,100,000); Fiscal Year 2001: ¥1,400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000); Fiscal Year 2000: ¥2,700,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,700,000)
• Keywords: 昆虫 / 視覚情報 / 脳内投射 / Golgi染色法 / Bodian染色法 / 視葉 / 視小葉 / 前大脳 / 準超薄連続切片法

Research Abstract

昨年の研究結果に基づき,視葉から中脳への視覚ニューロンの投射をさらに詳しく調べた.
2種類の蛍光色素で視葉の部域の染め分けを行った結果,視葉の最終ニューロピルlobulaから前大脳前側葉への投射様式を明らかにすることができた.それによると,lobulaの単位構造の配置は維持されたまま,軸索は交叉することなく前大脳前側葉にはいっていた.したがって,前大脳前側葉には,視葉の受容野に相当する単位構造があることが推測された.
モンシロチョウの脳について,Bodian染色連続切片,岩崎法準超薄連続切片像を解析し,脳内ニューロピルの立体配置,ニューロピル間の連絡を明らかにした.とくに,視葉ニューロンが終末する部域とそれらから,記憶中枢キノコ体,運動出力センター中心複合体を結ぶ経路を同定し,Golgi標本の精査によりそれらを結ぶニューロンの形態を明らかにした.さらに,中心複合体の単位構造を構成するニューロンの形態をGolgi染色標本で精査し,それら細胞の細胞体が分布する領域をBodian染色連続切片との照合により調べた.その結果,中心複合体を構成する細胞群は中心複合体の前方と後方に位置し,後方の細胞群は中心体のFanshaped Bodyの単位構造を形成し,前方に位置するニューロンはFanshaped Bodyの全域にわたって側枝を出すことがわかった.これらの知見により,ほかの部域の脳内ニューロピルとの情報伝達様式をさらに詳しく検索する足がかりができた.

Research Products

• [Publications] Chuman Y., Shimohigashi M.et al.: "Circadian rhythm pacemaker neuropeptides 'PDF' in nocturnal insect Gryllus bimaculatus : cDNA cloning, mRNA expression, and nuclear localization"Proceeding of International Peptide Society. (in press). (2001)
• [Publications] Shimohigashi M. et al.: "Molecular cloning and characteristic expression profile of clock protein PERIOD in silk moth Bombyx mori"Proceeding for 6th International Congress of Neuroethology. 44 (2001)
• [Publications] Sato S, Shimohigashi M. et al.: "cDNA Cloning of PDF Peptide Precursors in House Fly and Last Summer Cicada"Peptide Science 2001. 139-142 (2001)
• [Publications] Matsushima A, , Shimohigashi M. et al.: "Structure and Function of Nuclear Localization Signal Peptide Present in Circadian Rhythm Hormone Peptide Precursor"Peptide Science 2001. 159-162 (2001)
• [Publications] Asai D, Shimohigashi M. et al.: "Design and preparation of universal anti-PERIOD antibodies and their immunoresponses"Peptide Science 2001. 399-402 (2001)
• [Publications] Tokunaga T, Shimohigashi M. et al.: "Contractile activity of Drosophila FMRFamide-Related Peptides in the Meretrix Lusoria Herat Muscle"Peptide Science 2001. 167-170 (2001)
• [Publications] Shimohigashi M. et al.: "Central projection from the lobula in buttefly brain"Zoological Science. 18(Supplement). 93 (2001)
• [Publications] Toda K., Shimohigashi M.et al.: "Mapping of the butterfly brain : Identification of major neuropiles and descending neuron clusters in the brain of the swallowtail butterfly Papilio xuthus"Zoological Science. 18(Supplement). 101 (2001)
• [Publications] Kinoshita M., Shimohigashi M.et al.: "Projection sites of the optic lobe outputs in the brain of the swallowtail butterfly Papilio xuthus"Zoological Science. 18(Supplement). 101 (2001)
• [Publications] Sato S., Shimohigashi M.et al.: "PERIOD clock protein of the last summer cicada Meimuna opalifera : cDNA cloning and structural analysis"Comp. Biochem. Physiol.. 130/A. 874 (2001)
• [Publications] Matsushima A., Shimohigashi M.et al.: "cDNA cloning of circadian rhythm pacemaker hormone PDF of the house fly Musca domestica"Comp. Biochem. Physiol.. 130/A. 876 (2001)
• [Publications] Shimohigashi M.: "Morphological analysis of neural pathways from optic lobes to the central brain in insects microbrain"Proceeding for International Symposium of Neuronal Organization and Plasticity in the Microbrain System. 23 (2001)
• [Publications] Shimohigashi Y, Shimohigashi M. et al.: "Structural characteristics of PAS domain of insect clock protein PERIODs."Proceeding for International Symposium of Neuronal Organization and Plasticity in the Microbrain System. 45 (2001)
• [Publications] 松島, 下東: "昆虫の概日リズムペースメーカーホルモンPDF"比較生理生化学. 18・3. 159-166 (2001)
• [Publications] Meinertzhagen I.A.& Shimohigashi M. et al: "Photoreceptor phenotypes for Drosophila mutants nonC and hdcjk910."Bull.Can.Soc.Zool.. 31(2). 7 (2000)
• [Publications] Shimohigashi M. et al.: "Molecular cloning and gene expression of a circadian neuropeptide, PDF, in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus."Comp.Biochem.Physiol.. 127. 374 (2000)
• [Publications] Tomioka K. & Shimohigashi M. et al: "Immunohistochemical demonstration of Gryllus PDF, a bioactive peptide isolated from the brain of the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus."Comp.Biochem.Physiol.. 127. 374 (2000)
• [Publications] Chuman Y.& Shimohigashi M. et al: "cDNA cloning of circadian rhythm pacemaker neuropeptide PDF in Gryllus bimaculatus and its nuclear localization."Peptide Science 2000. 59-62 (2000)
• [Publications] Matsushima A.& Shimohigashi M. et al: "Gene expression of a circadian pacemaker hormone peptide PDF in cricket Gryllus bimaculatus."Peptide Science 2000. 63-66 (2000)