The molecular mechanisms underlying epigenetics of the stress response in the cerebellum in a rat model
Date
2010
Authors
Babenko, Olena M.
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Biological Sciences, c2010
Abstract
Previous findings showed that mild chronic restraint stress causes motor impairments in rats. These behavioural impairments might be related to molecular changes in brain areas that regulate motor functions, such as the cerebellum. Little is known about the role of the cerebellum in stress-induced behavioural alteration. We hypothesized that alteration in animal behaviour after chronic restraint stress is due to brain-specific changes in miRNA and proteins encoding gene expression. Our results revealed that expression of three miRNAs and 39 mRNAs was changed significantly after two weeks of stress. Furthermore, we verified one putative target for one of the changed miRNAs and expression of four randomly selected genes. Changes in gene expression disappeared after two weeks of recovery from stress. These findings provide a novel insight into stress-related mechanisms of gene expression underlying altered behavioural performance. The observations bear implications for the prevention and treatment of stress-related disorders and disease.
Description
xii, 109 leaves. : ill. ; 29 cm
Keywords
Stress (Physiology) -- Research , Cerebellum -- Effect of stress on -- Research , Rats as laboratory animals , Rats -- Effect of stress on , Epigenetics -- Research , Dissertations, Academic