Brain mechanisms for the regulation of water/salt appetite

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24689013
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General physiology
• Research Institution: National Institute for Basic Biology
• Principal Investigator: HIYAMA Takeshi 基礎生物学研究所, 統合神経生物学研究部門, 助教 (90360338)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 生理学 / 神経科学 / エンドセリン / イオンチャネル / 脳室周囲器官 / 神経再生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Brain mechanisms for the water-/salt- appetite have not been fully elucidated. We have previously reported that Nax channel expressed in glial cells in the subfornical orngans is the Na+-level sensor to control the salt intake. In this study, we found that the sensitivity of Nax channels to [Na+]o is enhanced by endothelin signaling. This mechanism underlies not only the salt appetite but also peripheral nerve regeneration. We also verified the expression of Nax in some neurons in the amygdala and cortex. The sensitivity of Nax in neuronal cells was similar to that expressed in glial cells.

Free Research Field

分子神経生物学