RESUMO
The distribution of oxytocin binding sites in the brain is highly variable among mammals. Using two species of microtine rodents (voles) with strikingly different patterns of oxytocin binding sites in the brain, we demonstrate that these differences are due to differences in region specific gene expression and not post-translational processing. The distribution of oxytocin receptor mRNA closely resembles the distribution of oxytocin receptor binding sites in both species. Analysis of the 5' flanking region of the oxytocin receptor gene from both species reveals few differences in potential regulatory elements which could explain the differences in gene expression. These data suggest that species differences in oxytocin receptor binding are due to species differences in: i) distant DNA sequences further upstream or downstream which may influence expression; ii) the distribution of regulatory proteins such as transcription factors in the brain or iii) epigenetic factors, such as prenatal and perinatal environment which may affect gene expression in the adult.
Assuntos
Arvicolinae/metabolismo , DNA/genética , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , Receptores de Ocitocina/biossíntese , Receptores de Ocitocina/genética , Sequências Reguladoras de Ácido Nucleico , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Autorradiografia , Sequência de Bases , DNA/metabolismo , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Hibridização In Situ , Radioisótopos do Iodo , Masculino , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Ocitocina/análogos & derivados , Ocitocina/metabolismo , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Córtex Pré-Frontal/metabolismo , Sondas RNA , RNA Mensageiro/análise , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Receptores de Ocitocina/metabolismo , Homologia de Sequência do Ácido Nucleico , Especificidade da Espécie , Transcrição GênicaRESUMO
Phenomenological experiences that suggest temporal lobe lability were correlated with Jungian personality (Myers-Briggs) indicators. People with frequent temporal lobe indicators were more intuitive than sensing and more perceiving than judging; in the more general population temporal lobe indicators were also weakly associated with feeling rather than thinking. Students who were actively engaged in a drama class also displayed more frequent temporal lobe signs than psychology students. The data are commensurate with the hypothesis that the relationship between belief in psi phenomena, psi experiences, and specific cognitive styles is derived from a temporal lobe lability factor.