Neurological mechanisms of resilience: actions of the prolactin-releasing peptide receptor system

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07264
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 48020:Physiology-related
• Research Institution: Jichi Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshida Masahide 自治医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (30533955)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ストレス / プロラクチン放出ペプチド / レジリエンス / うつ病 / 心的外傷後ストレス障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Prolactin-releasing peptide receptor (Prlhr) expression was detected with high sensitivity using originally developed Prlhr-Venus mice, and whole brain regions were searched to identify novel Prlhr-expressing brain regions. Prlhr-Flippase mice were originally developed, and their DNA recombination activity and expression were confirmed. To identify Prlhr-expressing cells responsible for resilience, the mouse line was used to determine Prlhr expression in neuropeptide-synthesizing neurons that are crucial for stress responses using a dual DNA recombinase-responsive fluorescent protein expression method. Methods for identifying the neural circuits of a subpopulation of Prlhr-expressing cells and artificially regulating their activity was also established using a double DNA recombinase.

Free Research Field

生理学、神経科学、神経内分泌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ストレス関連精神障害は現代社会が解決すべき喫緊の課題である。本研究は、ストレスを負荷された状態から、正常な状態に戻ろうとする復元力・回復力(レジリエンス)を亢進する神経回路とそれに関わる神経ペプチド/受容体系を明らかにすることを目指している。本研究の成果は、ストレス関連精神神経障害の予防法の確立に繋がる。