c-fos蛋白在白蚁婚飞时脑中免疫组织化学定位观察(简报)

IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF c-fos PROTEIN IN TERMITE BRAINS FOLLOWING FLYING BEHAVIOR

在原癌基因家族中有一类可以被第二信使诱导的原癌基因,它们能对神经递质、激素等刺激作出反应进行表达,这类基因称为即刻早基因(immediate-early gene,IEG).c-fos就是其中重要的一种即刻早基因[1].目前已经证实哺乳动物的性行为与其脑中的c-fos表达有关,c-fos特异性表达被认为是研究性行为时脑部神经细胞活动的重要指征,Joppa等人用此方法已经在鼠、仓鼠脑中定位出与性行为有关的神经活动区域[2、3].

The expression of c-fos protein was examined in the brain of reproduction termite (Reticulitermes aculabialis)with immunocytochemical localization method. The results showed c-fos protein immunoreactivity was found in the procerebrum, deutocerebrum and tritocerebrum of termites at all stages. At last instar nymph and after flying stage, c-fos immunoreactivity of procerebrum was weak, but the female and male termites displayed significantly increased the number of c-fos labeled cells in the protocerebrum at flying stage. On the other hand, previous studies have demonstrated neural cells of procerebrum could strongly secrete FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)and LH(Luteinizing Hormone) which maintained libido and stimulated mating flight. This meaned that c-fos expression of procerebrum involved in hormone regulation in sexual behavior,as have been shown in mammal. In conclusion, we demonstrated here for the first time that c-fos expression of procerebrum of termites involved in sexual behavior. These resulats provided a new morphological proof that neural activation of procerebrum participated in the regulation of sexual behavior of termites.