Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor (proBDNF) in genetically defined fear-induced aggression.
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), its precursor (proBDNF) and BDNF mRNA levels were studied in the brain of wild rats selectively bred for more than 70 generations for either high level or for the lack of affective aggressiveness towards man. Significant increase of BDNF mRNA level in the frontal cortex and increase of BDNF level in the hippocampus of aggressive rats was revealed. In the midbrain and hippocampus of aggressive rats proBDNF level was increased, whereas BDNF/proBDNF ratio was reduced suggesting the prevalence and increased influence of proBDNF in highly aggressive rats. In the frontal cortex, proBDNF level in aggressive rats was decreased. Thus, considerable structure-specific differences in BDNF and proBDNF levels as well as in BDNF gene expression between highly aggressive and nonaggressive rats were shown. The data suggested the implication of BDNF and its precursor proBDNF in the mechanism of aggressiveness and in the creation of either aggressive or nonaggressive phenotype.
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Tatiana V
TV
Ilchibaeva
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Elena M
EM
Kondaurova
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Anton S
AS
Tsybko
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Rimma V
RV
Kozhemyakina
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Nina K
NK
Popova
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia. Electronic address: naumenko2002@bionet.nsc.ru.
Vladimir S
VS
Naumenko
D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005239:Fear; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000378:metabolism*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger
BDNF and proBDNF levels; BDNF expression; BDNF mRNA level; Genetically defined aggression; Rats