Research InterestMammalian social behavior is complex, yet a systematic genetic approach can reveal the major genes that regulate behavior. Because many social behaviors are activated only when gonadal steroid hormones are present the genes for steroid hormone receptors are currently under study in our laboratory. We have found that estrogen receptor (ER)
is required for display of male typical social behavior. In addition the
newly discovered estrogen receptor, ERß, is particularly important
for regulation of cognitive behaviors and has much of its effects via
modulation of ERs
actions. One of our long term goals is to better elucidate the relationship
between these two important receptors and to identify downstream neurotransmitters
that are involved in social behavior. To this end we have recently expanded
our program to ask how dopamine receptor genes affect social behaviors.
A final important set of genes that are present in male, but not in female
mammals are the genes on the Y sex chromosome. Although these genes are
essential for development of sperm cells they are also expressed in brain
and their behavioral functions are being elucidated in our laboratory.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: 1) Wersinger, S.R., Rissman,
E.F. (2000) Dopamine activates masculine sexual behavior independent
of the estrogen receptor 2) Temple, J.L., Fugger, H.N., Li, X., Shetty, S.J., Gustafsson, J-A, Rissman, E.F. (2001) Estrogen receptor ß regulates sexually dimorphic neural responses to estradiol. Endocrinology 142:510-513. 3) Temple, J.L., Schneider, J.E., Scott, D.K., Korutz, A., Rissman, E.F. (2002) Mating behavior is regulated by acute changes in metabolic fuels. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 282(3):R782-90. 4) Rissman, E.F., Heck, A.L., Leonard, J.E., Shupnik, M.A., Gustafsson, J-A (2002) Disruption of estrogen receptor ß gene impairs spatial learning in female mice. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 99(6):3996-4001. 5) Scordalakes, E.M., Shetty, S.J., Rissman, E.F. (2002) Roles of estrogen receptor ? and androgen receptor in the regulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Journal of Comparative Neurology. 453(4):336-44. 6) De Vries, G.J., Rissman, E.F., Simerly, R.B., Yang, L-Y, Scordalakes, E.M., Auger, C.J., Swain, A., Lovell-Badge, R., Burgoyne, P.S., Arnold, A.P. (2002) A model system for study of sex chromosome effects on sexually dimorphic neural and behavioral traits Journal of Neuroscience 22:9005-9014. 7) Temple, J.L., Millar,
R.P., Rissman, E.F. (2003) An evolutionarily conserved form of gonadotropin
releasing hormone coordinates energy and reproductive behavior. Endocrinology
In press. For more information email
efr2f@virginia.edu |
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