调控大鼠信息素和配偶选择行为的基因筛选

Mate choice is one of two components of sexual selection, where rodents mainly rely on chemical communication. Our recent tests showed that A and B inbred strains of rats are ideal models for study of two mate choice hypothesises: genetic compatibility and sexy sons. In this project, the differences in gene expression profiles of odor-producing organs(liver and preputial glands)with different neuroendocrine status, developmental stages and individuals will be used to screening the candidate genes; and also, we will crossbreed these 2 strains to get F2 generations with segregated odortypes and genotypes; combining behavior tests, chemical analysis and gene expression analysis, we will investigate the possible function of pheromone-regulating genes in mate choice by studying the relationship between odor and gene expression profiles of odor-producing organs of male F2, which contribute to the varied choice behaviors of females with differnet genetic backgrounds; moreover, we will analysis the relationship between these genes and VNO gene expression profiles, and find out if the co-adaptation exists between odor signals and olfactory reception. Our project will supplement and improve the previous work on laboratory rat and become the first study in exploring the molecular mechanisms of sexy son hypothesis in mammals. Two or three papers of high quality will be published.

配偶选择是性选择研究的重要内容，鼠类主要利用化学通讯进行配偶选择。我们之前的研究发现大鼠的A和B两个近交品系表现出"遗传兼容性"和"性感儿子"两个配偶选择模式。本项目拟首先利用内分泌、发育、个体等差异导致的气味及其产生器官(肝脏和包皮腺)基因表达谱的相关变化，先筛选调节信息素的候选基因；再进一步利用这两个品系的鼠进行杂交，获得气味型和遗传型多样的F2代个体；结合化学、行为和基因差异表达分析等技术，研究引起特定品系雌鼠表现出不同配偶选择模式的F2代雄鼠的信息素的组成与调节信息素产生基因的关系，阐述信息素调节基因在决定配偶选择模式中的可能作用；最后，分析这些基因与雌鼠犁鼻器基因表达谱的关系，探索信号产生和嗅觉接受是否存在相互适应。本项目不仅可以弥补实验室大鼠在这方面的研究不足,而且首次探索哺乳动物中"性感儿子"配偶选择假说的分子机制。预计发表2-3篇英文论文。

配偶选择是性选择研究的重要内容，鼠类主要利用化学通讯进行配偶选择。本项目在信息素含量分化明显的两个近交品系的大鼠BN和Lewis及其杂交后代中发现，雌性的配偶选择模式，在信息素含量低于阈值时表现出“遗传兼容性”选择模式，超过阈值时雌鼠表现出“性感儿子”配偶选择模式。并且在实验室品系和野生种群中发现，信息素含量高的个体，更容易招致天敌捕食。挥发性和非挥发性信息素，都受到激素调控。结合基因芯片、转录组、实时定量PCR技术我们找出了一些调节化学信号代谢的基因和决定遗传兼容性与遗传质量的基因，分析了雌鼠的气味受体表达情况，为进一步研究信息素代谢、理解信息素接收和雌鼠配偶选择打下基础。信息素表达规律、配偶选择规律以及雌性接收的特点，对鼠类治理、生态环境保护具有重要的参考价值。发表4篇英文论文，培养研究生1名。