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Published on: February 25, 2011
Microsatellite instability generates diversity in brain and sociobehavioral traits
Elizabeth A D Hammock1, Larry J Young
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 11, 2005
Summary
Microsatellite DNA variations can influence gene expression and receptor distribution, impacting social behaviors in prairie voles. This highlights microsatellites
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Biology
Background:
- Repetitive microsatellites are known for high mutation rates, potentially driving rapid evolutionary changes in species-specific traits.
- The vasopressin 1a receptor (avpr1a) gene plays a crucial role in social behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional impact of a polymorphic microsatellite in the prairie vole avpr1a gene's 5' regulatory region.
- To determine if this microsatellite polymorphism influences gene expression, receptor distribution, and socio-behavioral traits in vivo.
Main Methods:
- In vitro analysis of microsatellite alleles to assess their effect on avpr1a gene expression.
- In vivo studies in prairie voles to correlate microsatellite genotype with avpr1a receptor distribution and social behaviors.
Main Results:
- Individual alleles of the microsatellite polymorphism were shown to modify avpr1a gene expression in vitro.
- In vivo, the regulatory polymorphism was linked to variations in avpr1a receptor distribution patterns among individuals.
- This polymorphism also predicted individual differences in socio-behavioral traits.
Conclusions:
- Polymorphic microsatellites in cis-regulatory regions can confer individual differences in gene expression patterns.
- These microsatellite-driven gene expression differences may contribute to the normal range of variation observed in behavioral traits.
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