2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
functional roles of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor for filial imprinting of domestic chicks
| Project/Area Number |
24790089
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Research Field |
Biological pharmacy
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| Research Institution | Teikyo University |
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Principal Investigator |
AOKI Naoya 帝京大学, 薬学部, 助教 (50525334)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2012-04-01 – 2014-03-31
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| Keywords | 学習臨界期 / 刻印付け / 記憶 / 初期学習 |
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| Research Abstract |
In avian filial imprinting, newly hatched chicks follow a moving object and memorize it. Gene organizations for the imprinting were not known well. We have focused on BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) whose gene expressed the most after imprinting. We found expression of BDNF in IMHA which is necessary for imprinting, and phosphorylation of TrkB (BDNF receptor) and Akt (downstream of TrkB). This suggested BDNF/TrkB signaling is involved in imprinting. Furthermore, we examined the effects of injections of BDNF or K252a, antagonist of TrkB, in the imprinting acquisition. We could not found any effects of the injections in imprinting. These suggest the BDNF is involved in imprinting, but is not necessary for the acquisition.
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