Estimation of neuronal activation by measuring the expression of transcription factors and chromatin conformation: eating behavior as a model

• Grant number: 12/51306-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2013
• End date: May 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Ana Lucia Beirão Cabral
• Grantee: Ana Lucia Beirão Cabral
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pós-Graduação, Pesquisa e Extensão. Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

To analyze the expression of some transcription factors (TFs) in the CNS tissues of vertebrates has been widely, and long ago, used to determine whether certain intrinsic or extrinsic factor was responsible for the mobilization of neural circuits in a specific area. Is well known that, the feeding behavior in mammals is regulated by the hypothalamus, so this region is stimulated to induce behavior and again stimulated to inhibit it when the energy balance is reached. This activation is often measured by the pattern of expression of c-Fos, a member of the AP-1 family of TFs. Intriguingly, c-Fos acts through the formation of heterodimers with c-Jun, another member of the family, which can form homodimers. Thus, c-Jun or other AP-1 member may be more appropriate candidate for measuring neuronal activation. Another event that precedes the mobilization of TFs is the modification of chromatin structure leaving it accessible. In other words, many stimulated areas could exhibit changes in the pattern of expression of histone-modifying enzymes and DNA structure before TFs ligations. Thus this work aims to analyze the expression of TFs different from c-Fos, as well as chromatin modifiers, using the mammals feeding behavior as a model to draw a comparison of the gene regulation activation in areas previously mapped with c-Fos (more specifically the arcuate nucleus, the ventromedial nucleus and lateral hypothalamus) and the possibility of these being preceded by changes in chromatin. From this goal derives the fact that new markers may have an expression more prevalent and therefore this project can set up a primer for future investigations about the activation of genes against certain behavior or environmental factor. Furthermore, the establishment of a model to assess possible changes in chromatin conformation in our laboratory can be of great value to transpose their applicability to new processes not yet described in literature. (AU)