Accepted_test

Dopaminergic system of the rats brain in the mechanisms of genetically defined defensive aggression towards man
by Pravikova Polina | Moskaliuk Vitaliy | Bazovkina Daria | Naumenko Vladimir | Institute of Cytology and Genetics, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia | Institute of Cytology and Genetics, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia | Institute of Cytology and Genetics, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia | Institute of Cytology and Genetics, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
Abstract ID: 105
Event: BGRS-abstracts
Sections: [Sym 7] Section “Neurogenomics and genetics of behavior”

Two strains of rats with different degrees of aggressiveness towards man, selected in Novosibirsk, are a useful model for investigating the mechanisms genetically defined defensive aggressive behavior. Today there is lack of information about the role of the dopaminergic system in maintaining defensive behavior. The aim of this work is to investigate the dopamine system in the brain structures of rats with genetically defined aggression towards man or its absence. The analysis was carried out on adult male rats (Rattus Norvegicus), selected for high defensive aggression towards man and its absence. The midbrain, hypothalamus, hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex were studied. The levels of dopamine (DA), its metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA) were determined by HPLC. Real-time RT-qPCR was used to evaluate the mRNA levels of the main DA receptors (Drd1, Drd2), transcription factor Creb1, tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (Comt). Significant interstrain changes in the expression level of DA receptors were detected only in the hippocampus; in aggressive rats, an increase in the Drd2 mRNA level was recorded. A positive correlation was showed between the Drd2 and Creb1 mRNA levels (r=0.716; p<0.002). We revealed the most significant interline differences in the level of DA metabolism in the hypothalamus, a structure known to be responsible for aggressiveness regulation, in an aggressive strain a decrease in the DA level against the background a significant increase in the final DA metabolite (HVA) was recorded. Thus, we can assume the participation of the hypothalamic dopaminergic system in the mechanisms of defensive behavior formation.