Project description:Three brain regions of the limbic system, the amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus, are responsible for survival behaviors such as feeding and physical challenging. Hypothalamus works together with pituitary and adrenal gland (HPA-axis) to adjust homeostatic state by modulating stress-response hormones. Unraveling molecular signatures such as DNA methylation of these tissues may provide deeper insights into a link between epigenetic regulation and phenotypic plasticity of behavioral responses of animals. We examined the DNA methylation profile of amygdala (n = 20), hippocampus (n = 20), hypothalamus (n = 19) as well as a non-brain tissue, adrenal gland (n=19) of German Landrace pigs using a cost effective method, Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (RRBS).
Project description:Purpose: Gut microbiota-brain axis serves as an emerging pathway affecting brain function. Hindgut has a higher proportion of microbes than foregut, however whether alteration in hindgut microbiota is related to brain functional change remains unclear. The present study used antibiotics to modulate the hindgut microbiota, to investigate the changes in the functions of porcine hypothalamus. Methods: Twelve piglets (12.08 ± 0.28 kg) fitted with T-cannula at the distal ileum were fed a standard diet and randomly assigned to two groups (n=6) for ileal infusions of saline (control group) and an antibiotic mix (ampicillin, gentamycin and metronidazole; antibiotic group), respectively. After the 25-day experiment, the microbiota and metabolites in feces, concentrations of amino acids and neurotransmitters in hypothalamus and blood, and transcriptomics profiles of hypothalamus were analyzed. Results: The results showed that the antibiotic infusion resulted in an increase in aromatic amino acids (AAA)-utilizing genera, notably Lactobacillus, and a decrease in the concentrations of AAAs including tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine in feces. Correspondingly, concentrations of AAAs in the blood and hypothalamus also decreased. In the hypothalamus, the concentrations of AAAs related neurotransmitters 5-HT and dopamine decreased. Meanwhile, the compensatory upregulations of neurotransmitter transporter genes such as SERT, DAT and synthesis-related genes TPH2 and AADC were observed (adjusted P < 0.001). Furthermore, the concentrations of 5-HT and dopamine decreased in the blood. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results revealed that the ileal antibiotic infusion could affect the expressions of neurotransmitters in the porcine hypothalamus. The changes of hindgut microbial composition, circulating AAA profile and hypothalamic neurotransmitter expressions indirectly suggested that the hindgut microbiota may affect the brain functions.
Project description:Strain differences in gene expression in the hypothalamus of BXD recombinant inbred mice We used microarrays to evaluate genetic and sex-specific differences in gene expression in the hypothalamus Hypothalamus was dissected from adult male and female mice and process for expression analysis
Project description:Comparative proteomic analysis of hypothalamus tissue from Huoyan geese between pre-laying period and laying period using an iTRAQ-based approach
Project description:These arrays contain data from hypthalamus tissue of nestin-Pex5 -/- male mice Gene expression in biological replicates from hypothalamus of 4 wild type mice was compared with 4 NestinPex5-/- mice. In the latter, functional peroxisomes were deleted from all neural cells.
Project description:Strain differences in gene expression in the hypothalamus of BXD recombinant inbred mice We used microarrays to evaluate genetic and sex-specific differences in gene expression in the hypothalamus
Project description:We determined genomic binding of HDAC3 in mouse hypothalamus by ChIP-seq, and identified target genes of the NCOR/HDAC3 complex in hypothalamus of NS-DADm (mutated deacetylase activation domain in NCORs) mice by RNA-seq.
Project description:The main aims of the experiment were to 1) chart gene networks governed by glucocorticoid receptor on a genome-wide scale, 2) to provide insights into mechanisms modulating glucocorticoid sensitivity and 3) to obtain better understanding of molecular and phenotypic consequences of the GRAla610Val substitution by examining its transcriptome signature in untreated and dexamethasone-treated animals. A total of 48 purebred German Landrace piglets were used in the experiment. At the time of the experiment the piglets were 7-weeks old. A bolus injection of either dexamethasone or sterile saline was administered intramuscularly into the neck muscle. Twenty piglets received saline, sixteen piglets were treated with 10 μg/kg dexamethasone, and twelve piglets were treated with 60 μg/kg dexamethasone. All three treatment groups were balanced for sex and genotype.