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2003 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

Analysis of light-input system and relation among oscillators in the vertebrate circadian clock.

Research Project

Project/Area Number 14540627
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field 動物生理・代謝
Research InstitutionNara Women's University

Principal Investigator

OISHI Tadashi  Nara Women's University, Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Professor, 大学院・人間文化研究科, 教授 (30112098)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) TAMOTSU Satoshi  Nara Women's University, Faculty of Science, Associate Professor, 理学部, 助教授 (60188448)
Project Period (FY) 2002 – 2003
KeywordsPhotoreception / Circadian Rhythm / Vertebrates / Visual Pigments / Circadian Oscillator / Electrophysiology / Immunohistochemistry / Pineal organ
Research Abstract

We studied the diurnal changes of several neurosteroids in the newt brain under a semi-natural condition in May. We also examined the effects of removal of the eyes and pineal to clarify the involvement of these organs in the rhythmic changes of neurosteroids. Pregnenolone and progesterone in the brain showed distinct diurnal changes with a peak at 1:00 and at 21:00, respectively, in both intact and eye-removed animals. The effects of pinealectomy and removal of the eyes were very similar to the results of pregnenolone. We further investigated the photoperiodic response of serotonin-and galanin (GA)-immunoreactive (ir) cells in the paraventricular organ (PVO) and infundibular nucleus (IF) of the Japanese quail and the interaction of these cells with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-ir neurons in the hypothalamus. Photoperiods and light-dark cycles showed distinctive effects on the serotonin-ir and GA-ir cell numbers in the hypothalamus. The results together with close relationships between these neurons and GnRH-ir cells and fibers suggest that these substances are important in regulation of photoperiodic gonadal response in Japanese quail.
In lampreys, we found UV-receptor, red-and green-pigments existed in the pineal in addition to rhodopsin by using immunocytochmistry and in situ hybridization methods. We also detected response of UV-receptor electrophysiologically. The UV pigment of lamprey is a parapinopsin homologue that exhibits an absorption maximum at 370nm. UV light causes a cis-trans isomerization of the retinal2 chromophore to form a stable photoproduct having an absorption maximum at 515 nm. The photoproduct revertrs to the original pigment upon visible light absorption.

  • Research Products

    (13 results)

All Other

All Publications (13 results)

  • [Publications] Okano, AK., Oishi, T., et al.: "Identification of 3,4-didehydroretinal isomers in photoreceptive Melanophores of the Xenopus tail fin."Zoological science. 19. 191-195 (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] Oishi, T., et al.: "Deep brain photoreceptors and photoperiodism in vertebrates."Journal of Photoscience. 92. 5-8 (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] Inai, Y., Nagai, K., Ukena, K., Oishi, T., Tsutsui, K: "Seasonal changes in neurosteroid concentrations in the amphibian brain and environmental factors regulating their changes"Brain Research. 959. 214-225 (2003)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] Masuda, T., Iigo, M., Mizusawa, K., Naruse, M., Oishi, T., et al.: "Variations in plasma melatonin levels of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) under various light and temperature conditions."Zoological Science. 20. 1011-1016 (2003)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] Oishi, T., nagai, K., et al.: "Circadian rhythms in amphibians and reptiles : Ecological implications"Biological Rhythm Research. (In press). (2004)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] Koyanagi, M., Kawano, E., Kinugawa, Y., Oishi, T., et al.: "Bistable UV pigment in the lamprey pineal."Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.. (In press). (2004)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] 大石 正, 長井清香: "生体物理刺激と生体反応"フジテクノシステム. 869 (2004)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] Okano, K., Oishi, T., et al.: "Identification of 3,4 didehydroretinal isomers in photoreceptive melanophores in Xenopus tail fin."Zool.Sci.. 19. 191-195 (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Oishi, T.et al.: "Deep brain photoreceptors and photoperiodism in vertebrates."Journal of Photoscience. 9. 5-8 (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Inai, Y, Nagai, K., Oishi, T.et al.: "Seasonal changes in neurosteroid concentration in the amphibian brain and environmental factors regulating their changes."Brain Research. 959. 214-225 (2003)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Masuda, T., Iigo, M., Oishi, T.et al.: "Variations in plasma melatonin levels of the rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus Mykiss) under various light and temperature conditions"Zoological Science. 20. 1011-1016 (2003)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Oishi, T., Nagai, K.et al.: "Circadian rhythms in amphibians and reptiles : Ecological implication"Biol.Rhythm Res.. (in press). (2004)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Koyanagi, M., Kawano, E., Oishi, T.et al.: "Bistable UV Pigment in the lamprey pineal."Proc.Nat.Acad.Sci.. (In press). (2004)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より

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Published: 2005-04-19  

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