| Samuel Guzman Biology-Physiology Chemistry Minor |
1
Epigenetic
Neuroendocrinology
Laboratory
Neuroendocrinology
Laboratory
California State
University, Long Beach
University, Long Beach
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The proposed work is to determine the sexually dimorphic expression of the
progranulin (Pgrn) in the developing mouse hypothalamus. This gene is expressed
similarly in the neonatal rat hypothalamus between the sexes, but by 10 days of age,
Pgrn mRNA levels in females reduce to 25% of those in males. Pgrn knockout male
mice and Pgrn antisense-knockdown male rats both display some defects in
performing male-specific behaviors, but there is a lack of evidence to indicate that
sexually dimorphic expression of Pgrn occurs in the mouse hypothalamus. My
hypothesis is that similar to the rat, hypothalamic Pgrn mRNA levels in female mice
decrease and become sexually dimorphic during early development. I will collect the
hypothalami from four groups of mice, including neonatal males and females (PN0), as
well as males and females at 7 days of age (PN7) (n=8 per group). Total RNA will be
extracted from the hypothalami, and RT-PCR will be performed to quantify the mRNA
levels of Pgrn and -actin. I expect that as compared to males of the same ages,
Pgrn expression will decrease in PN7 female mice, but not in PN0 animals. Our results
will demonstrate the sexually dimorphic expression of Pgrn gene is established in the
mouse hypothalamus within the first week after birth.
progranulin (Pgrn) in the developing mouse hypothalamus. This gene is expressed
similarly in the neonatal rat hypothalamus between the sexes, but by 10 days of age,
Pgrn mRNA levels in females reduce to 25% of those in males. Pgrn knockout male
mice and Pgrn antisense-knockdown male rats both display some defects in
performing male-specific behaviors, but there is a lack of evidence to indicate that
sexually dimorphic expression of Pgrn occurs in the mouse hypothalamus. My
hypothesis is that similar to the rat, hypothalamic Pgrn mRNA levels in female mice
decrease and become sexually dimorphic during early development. I will collect the
hypothalami from four groups of mice, including neonatal males and females (PN0), as
well as males and females at 7 days of age (PN7) (n=8 per group). Total RNA will be
extracted from the hypothalami, and RT-PCR will be performed to quantify the mRNA
levels of Pgrn and -actin. I expect that as compared to males of the same ages,
Pgrn expression will decrease in PN7 female mice, but not in PN0 animals. Our results
will demonstrate the sexually dimorphic expression of Pgrn gene is established in the
mouse hypothalamus within the first week after birth.