The role of GABA in the functional regulation of GnRH neurons

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25460312
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Environmental physiology(including physical medicine and nutritional physiology)
• Research Institution: Hamamatsu University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Watanabe Miho 浜松医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (10399321)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: GnRHニューロン / GABA / KCC2 / クロライド / 生殖 / 視床下部

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To investigate the functional role of the excitatory action of GABA in the regulation of GnRH neurons in vivo, we generated transgenic mice with conditional overexpression of KCC2 restricted in GnRH neurons in a reversible manner using tetracycline controlled gene expression system. Female mice, which expressed KCC2 in GnRH neurons, showed abnormal estrous cyclicity, no ovulation and no pregnancy. The application of low dose muscimol, GABAA receptor agonist, inhibited spontaneous firing of GnRH neurons. These results suggested that the excitatory action of GABA increased the activity of GnRH neurons and have an important role in the regulation of female reproduction.

Free Research Field

神経内分泌学、神経科学