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Operator-less processing of myocardial perfusion SPECT studies.

UNLABELLED: We have developed a completely automated algorithm to generate reoriented tomographic images from projections in myocardial perfusion SPECT. METHODS: The algorithm consists of three software modules. The first module determines reconstruction limits for the projection dataset using two-dimensional feature extraction techniques. The second module reconstructs the projection images into transaxial images using standard filtered backprojection. The third module reorients the transaxial images into short-axis images. RESULTS: The algorithm was validated on 350 rest 201Tl and 350 stress 99mTc-sestamibi studies acquired on a single-detector (178 studies), a 90 degrees dual-detector (230 studies) or a triple-detector camera (292 studies). The complete processing sequence was successful in 93.6% of the studies (166/178 + 216/230 + 273/292). As for the individual modules, myocardial boundaries were correctly determined in 96.3% of the studies (171/178 + 222/230 + 281/292), while reorientation was successful in 97.2% of the studies (166/171 + 216/222 + 273/281). No significant difference in success rates for 201Tl versus 99mTc-sestamibi images was found. CONCLUSION: Our automated approach to myocardial perfusion SPECT processing is highly successful, intrinsically reproducible and can produce time and cost savings while improving accuracy in a clinical or research environment.

Algorithms↗

Resveratrol glucoside (Piceid) synthesis in seeds of transgenic oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.).

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin produced in various plants like wine, peanut or pine in response to fungal infection or UV irradiation, but it is absent in members of the Brassicaceae. Moreover, resveratrol and its glucoside (piceid) are considered to have beneficial effects on human health, known to reduce heart disease, arteriosclerosis and cancer mortality. Therefore, the introduction of the gene encoding stilbene synthase for resveratrol production in rapeseed is a tempting approach to improve the quality of rapeseed products. The stilbene synthase gene isolated from grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) was cloned under control of the seed-specific napin promotor and introduced into rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) by Agrobacterium-mediated co-transformation together with a ds-RNA-interference construct deduced from the sequence of the key enzyme for sinapate ester biosynthesis, UDP-glucose:sinapate glucosyltransferase (BnSGT1), assuming that the suppression of the sinapate ester biosynthesis may increase the resveratrol production in seeds through the increased availability of the precursor 4-coumarate. Resveratrol glucoside (piceid) was produced at levels up to 361 microg/g in the seeds of the primary transformants. This value exceeded by far piceid amounts reported from B. napus expressing VST1 in the wild type sinapine background. There was no significant difference in other important agronomic traits, like oil, protein, fatty acid and glucosinolate content in comparison to the control plants. In the third seed generation, up to 616 microg/g piceid was found in the seeds of a homozygous T3-plant with a single transgene copy integrated. The sinapate ester content in this homozygous T3-plant was reduced from 7.43 to 2.40 mg/g. These results demonstrate how the creation of a novel metabolic sink could divert the synthesis towards the production of piceid rather than sinapate ester, thereby increasing the value of oilseed products.

Acyltransferases↗

Enhanced cleavage of genomic CCR5 using CASX2Max.

Development of novel CRISPR/Cas systems enhances opportunities for gene editing to treat infectious diseases, cancer, and genetic disorders. CasX2 (PlmCas12e) belongs to the class II CRISPR system derived from Planctomycetes, a non-pathogenic bacterium present in aquatic and terrestrial soils and offers several advantages as a potential therapeutic CRISPR system over Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) and Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 (SaCas9). These advantages include its smaller size, distinct protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) requirements, staggered cleavage cuts that promote homology-directed repair, and the absence of pre-existing immunity in humans. We compared the cleavage efficiency and double-stranded break repair characteristics between CasX2 and CasX2Max, a recently generated CasX2 variant with three amino acid substitutions, for targeting CCR5, a gene that encodes the CCR5 receptor important for HIV-1 infection. Two single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) were designed that flank the 32 bases deleted in the natural CCR5 ∆32 mutation. Nanopore sequencing demonstrated that CasX2 using sgRNAs with spacers of 17 nucleotides (nt), 20 nt or 23 nt in length were ineffective at cleaving genomic CCR5. In contrast, CasX2Max using sgRNAs with 20 nt and 23 nt spacer lengths, enabled cleavage of genomic CCR5. Structural modelling indicated that two of the CasX2Max amino acid substitutions enhanced sgRNA-DNA duplex stability, while the third improved DNA strand alignment within the catalytic site. These structural changes likely underlie the increased activity of CasX2Max in cellular gene excision. In sum, CasX2Max consistently outperformed native CasX2 across all assays and represents a superior gene-editing platform for therapeutic applications.

Humans↗

Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of the Streptococcus pneumoniae gene encoding pneumolysin.

A gene bank of Sau3A1-generated Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA fragments was constructed in Escherichia coli K-12 by cloning into the BamHI site of the cosmid vector pHC79. Clones expressing the pneumolysin determinant were selected by testing for hemolytic activity which could be inhibited by antibody to purified pneumolysin and by cholesterol. Restriction analysis of pneumolysin-positive recombinant cosmid DNA indicated that the coding sequence for the toxin was located within a 2.9-kilobase-pair (kbp) ClaI DNA fragment. This fragment, which included 0.35 kbp of vector pHC79 DNA, was subcloned into the plasmid pBR322. E. coli cells harboring this recombinant plasmid (designated pJCP20) produced approximately one-third of the amount of pneumolysin found in the donor S. pneumoniae strain. Plasmid pJCP20 was stably maintained in E. coli and resulted in the accumulation of active pneumolysin in the cytoplasm. Western blot analysis showed that E. coli harboring pJCP20 produced two forms of the toxin with molecular weights of 54,000 and 52,000. The lower-molecular-weight form was indistinguishable from native pneumolysin. Subcloning the 2.9-kbp DNA fragment into the expression vector pEV31 allowed the determination of the direction of transcription of the pneumolysin gene. The pneumolysin-coding sequence (approximately 1.5 kbp) has been localized to within a 1.75-kbp segment of pneumococcal DNA.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Studies of defective interfering RNAs of Sindbis virus with and without tRNAAsp sequences at their 5' termini.

Three of six independently derived defective interfering (DI) particles of Sindbis virus generated by high-multiplicity passaging in cultured cells have tRNAAsp sequences at the 5' terminus of their RNAs (Monroe and Schlesinger, J. Virol. 49:865-872, 1984). In the present work, we found that the 5'-terminal sequences of the three tRNAAsp-negative DI RNAs were all derived from viral genomic RNA. One DI RNA sample had the same 5'-terminal sequence as the standard genome. The DI RNAs from another DI particle preparation were heterogeneous at the 5' terminus, with the sequence being either that of the standard 5' end or rearrangements of regions near the 5' end. The sequence of the 5' terminus of the third DI RNA sample consisted of the 5' terminus of the subgenomic 26S mRNA with a deletion from nucleotides 24 to 67 of the 26S RNA sequence. These data showed that the 5'-terminal nucleotides can undergo extensive variations and that the RNA is still replicated by virus-specific enzymes. DI RNAs of Sindbis virus evolve from larger to smaller species. In the two cases in which we followed the evolution of DI RNAs, the appearance of tRNAAsp-positive molecules occurred at the same time as did the emergence of the smaller species of DI RNAs. In pairwise competition experiments, one of the tRNAAsp-positive DI RNAs proved to be the most effective DI RNA, but under identical conditions, a second tRNAAsp-positive DI RNA was unable to compete with the tRNAAsp-negative DIs. Therefore, the tRNAAsp sequence at the 5' terminus of a Sindbis DI RNA is not the primary factor in determining which DI RNA becomes the predominant species in a population of DI RNA molecules.

Aspartic Acid↗

[Detection for single nucleotide polymorphisms].

As the third generation of genetic markers SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) has been used extensively in gene mapping,disease-correlativity analysis ,population genetics and drug research. Here methods for detection are reviewed. Most SNP genotyping are a combination of method for interrogating SNPs and analysis technique.It described both parts and give a outlook for detection.

Fluorescence Polarization↗

Evolution of enzymatic activities in the enolase superfamily: D-tartrate dehydratase from Bradyrhizobium japonicum.

We focus on the assignment of function to and elucidation of structure-function relationships for a member of the mechanistically diverse enolase superfamily encoded by the Bradyrhizobium japonicum genome (bll6730; GI:27381841). As suggested by sequence alignments, the active site contains the same functional groups found in the active site of mandelate racemase (MR) that catalyzes a 1,1-proton transfer reaction: two acid/base catalysts, Lys 184 at the end of the second beta-strand, and a His 322-Asp 292 dyad at the ends of the seventh and sixth beta-strands, respectively, as well as ligands for an essential Mg2+, Asp 213, Glu 239, and Glu 265 at the ends of the third, fourth, and fifth beta-strands, respectively. We screened a library of 46 acid sugars and discovered that only d-tartrate is dehydrated, yielding oxaloacetate as product. The kinetic constants (kcat = 7.3 s(-1); kcat/KM = 8.5 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1)) are consistent with assignment of the d-tartrate dehydratase (TarD) function. The kinetic phenotypes of mutants as well as the structures of liganded complexes are consistent with a mechanism in which Lys 184 initiates the reaction by abstraction of the alpha-proton to generate a Mg2+-stabilized enediolate intermediate, and the vinylogous beta-elimination of the 3-OH group is general acid-catalyzed by the His 322, accomplishing the anti-elimination of water. The replacement of the leaving group by solvent-derived hydrogen is stereorandom, suggesting that the enol tautomer of oxaloacetate is the product; this expectation was confirmed by its observation by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Thus, the TarD-catalyzed reaction is a "simple" extension of the two-step reaction catalyzed by MR: base-catalyzed proton abstraction to generate a Mg2+-stabilized enediolate intermediate followed by acid-catalyzed decomposition of that intermediate to yield the product.

Bacterial Proteins↗

High Prevalence of Potential Molecular Therapeutic Targets in Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma.

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is a rare thyroid cancer with aggressive clinical course and peculiar clinical/pathological characteristics but lacking effective therapeutic options, when surgery is not curative. We aimed at the molecular characterization of PDTC with a specific focus on the identification of potential therapeutic targets. A series of PDTC cases was selected from a multi-institutional network. Fifty-nine samples underwent wide targeted DNA and RNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing and immunohistochemical analysis for mismatch repair (MMR) proteins. Gene fusion analysis was enriched by 25 additional samples. Prevalence of MMR protein loss was 11.9%. The most prevalent mutations were in NRAS (25%) and TP53 (25%), mutually exclusive. TERT promoter (TERTp) mutations were detected in 19.6% of cases (10/51). NRAS-mutated cases were enriched for mutations in genes belonging to the same pathway. TP53-mutated samples lacked TERTp co-mutations, but were associated with mutations in PTEN and in genes related to MMR system and/or loss of MMR proteins. TERTp mutations were the most prevalent alterations (28%, 7/25) in a third group that lacked NRAS or TP53 mutations. Four cases harbored gene fusions, including two cases harboring the TBL1XR1::PIK3CA fusion that has never been reported in thyroid cancer, so far. In conclusion, PDTC may be genomically segregated in subgroups with specific molecular characteristics. Overall, targetable gene fusions have a prevalence of 9% (4/42). Moreover, 47% of cases are potential candidates for individualized target therapies since they harbor mutations in genes coding for potentially targetable molecules and/or have defects in the MMR system.

Humans↗

Brain electrical activity evoked by mental formation of auditory expectations and images.

Evidence for the brain's derivation of explicit expectancies in an ongoing sensory context has been well established by studies of the P300 and processing negativity (PN) components of the event-related potential (ERP). "Emitted potentials" generated in the absence of sensory input by unexpected stimulus omissions also exhibit a P300 component and provide another perspective on patterns of brain activity related to the processing of expectancies. The studies described herein extend earlier emitted potential findings in several aspects. First, high-density (128-channel) EEG recordings are used for topographical mapping of emitted potentials. Second, the primary focus is on emitted potential components preceding the P300, i.e. those components that are more likely to resemble ERP components associated with sensory processing. Third, the dependence of emitted potentials on attention is assessed. Fourth, subjects' knowledge of the structure of an auditory stimulus sequence is modulated so that emitted potentials can be compared between conditions that are identical in physical aspects but differ in terms of subjects' expectations regarding the sequence structure. Finally, a novel task is used to elicit emitted potentials, in which subjects explicitly imagine the continuations of simple melodies. In this task, subjects mentally complete melodic fragments in the appropriate tempo, even though they know with absolute certainty that no sensory stimulus will occur. Emitted potentials were elicited only when subjects actively formed expectations or images. The topographies of the initial portion of the emitted potentials were significantly correlated with the N100 topography elicited by corresponding acoustic stimuli, but uncorrelated with the topographies of corresponding silence control periods.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Identification of alternatively spliced messenger ribonucleic acid encoding truncated growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor in human pituitary adenomas.

The expression of GHRH receptor (GHRH-R) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) was studied in 22 pituitary adenomas and 2 normal anterior pituitaries. Northern blot analysis revealed that GHRH-R mRNA were expressed in all 14 GH-producing adenomas, 1 of 3 ACTH-producing adenomas, the 1 PRL-producing adenoma, 2 of 4 nonfunctioning adenomas, and the 2 normal anterior pituitaries. Their expression levels varied among GH-producing adenomas and were relatively low in GH-nonproducing adenomas. In addition to the major transcript with a molecular mass of 2.0 kilobases (kb), the transcripts were identified at 2.8 and 4.5 kb in some GH-producing adenomas. To examine the structural variations in GHRH-R mRNA in pituitary adenomas, we amplified the complementary DNA fragment encompassing the region from the third cytoplasmic loop to the sixth transmembrane domain of GHRH-R. This region was selected because this region of the G protein-coupled receptor has been known to interact with G protein. Two amplified fragments with the molecular masses of 250 and 810 base pairs were identified by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method. The nucleotide sequence of a smaller fragment, which was the expected size, revealed that no mutations were found in this region in 10 GH-producing adenomas examined. However, a larger fragment contained the currently unidentified insertion. Compared with the genomic DNA sequence, this insertion was found to be generated through alternative splicing. In addition, this variant form contained the premature stop codon in-frame, indicating that it encodes the truncated GHRH-R. This insertion-specific probe could hybridize with 2.8- and 4.5-kb species of GHRH-R mRNA on Northern blot analysis, and these transcripts were expressed mainly in GH-producing adenomas. Finally, study of cell transfection and cAMP measurement revealed that this truncated GHRH-R was unable to transmit GHRH signals. These results suggest that some GH-producing adenomas preferentially express the truncated GHRH-R as a nonfunctioning receptor through alternative splicing.

Adenoma↗

Combining congenic coverage with gene profiling in search of candidates for blood pressure quantitative trait loci in Dahl rats.

Chromosomes (Chr) 10 and 16 of the Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat harbor quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for blood pressure (BP). To facilitate gene discovery of these QTLs, gene profiling based on microarrays was combined with fine QTL mapping to identify potential candidate genes that are differentially expressed. First, the region harboring the BP QTL on Chr 16 was narrowed by comparative congenic mapping. In this endeavor, a number of new chromosome markers were generated and used to physically define the chromosome interval in question. Second, in an effort to minimize the costs of gene profiling without sacrificing the chance of gene discovery, a combination congenic strain was produced by replacing one segment of Chr 10 along with one segment of Chr 16 of the hypertensive S rat by those of the normotensive Lewis (LEW) rat. Both of these regions are known to contain BP QTLs. Third, kidneys of this combination congenic strain and the S strain were employed for expression profiling studies. Finally, a comparison between the two strains yielded a number of potentially differentially expressed candidates. Six Established Sequence Tags (ESTs)/genes among them were located in Chr 10 regions and 1 was found in a Chr 16 region, and the genetic make-ups of all these regions were shown to be different between S and LEW. However, none of these ESTs/genes identified by gene profiling were located in an interval containing a QTL. Thus, the present study highlights the importance of correlating the results of gene expression profiling with fine congenic mapping.

Animals↗

Isolation of arterial-specific genes by subtractive hybridization reveals molecular heterogeneity among arterial endothelial cells.

Arteries are distinguished from veins by differences in gene expression, as well as in their anatomy and physiology. The characterization of arterial- and venous-specific genes may improve our understanding of cardiovascular development and disease. Here we report the results of a subtractive hybridization screen for arterial-specific genes, and describe in detail the expression of a novel arterial-specific gene, Depp (decidual protein induced by progesterone), using a GFP-Cre knock-in that permits a comparison of both instantaneous and cumulative expression patterns in situ. Several features of Depp expression are noteworthy. First, Depp is expressed in endothelial cells of peripheral tissues, but not in atrial or ventricular endocardial cells of the heart. Very few genes have been reported to discriminate between these two cell types, and therefore this specificity may be useful in generating conditional mutations in other genes implicated in cardiovascular development. Second, Depp reveals an unexpected degree of molecular heterogeneity among arterial endothelial cells. Third, Depp is up-regulated in subsets of endothelial cells, in settings of adult neo-vascularization, including tumor angiogenesis. Taken together, these data reveal unanticipated temporal and spatial heterogeneity among arterial endothelial cells of various tissues and organs, raising new questions regarding the functional significance of this diversity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Induction of activating mutations in the human c-Ha-ras-1 proto-oncogene by oxygen free radicals.

The mutagenicity of oxygen free radicals was studied in a forward mutation system. pEC plasmid containing the human c-Ha-ras-1 proto-oncogene was reacted with oxygen free radicals generated by Cu2+ and H2O2 and was then transfected into NIH/3T3 cells. Transformed foci were observed with oxygen free radical-modified DNA but not with unmodified DNA. The mutations responsible for the Ha-ras-1 gene activation in 11 transformed foci were characterized. G-->T mutations at the second base of codon 12 were found in two transformed foci, A-->T transversions at the second base of codon 61 in five foci, and G-->T mutations at the third position of codon 61 in four transformed foci. These observed mutations are identical to those commonly found in human skin carcinomas, suggesting that reactive oxygen species may play an important role in the carcinogenesis of these tumors. Interestingly, a significant proportion of mutations was found at the second and third base of codon 61 (CAG). In a previous study, the same oxygen free radical-generating system was found to cause an intrastrand cross-link between adjacent purine nucleotides at AG sites in DNA (Carmichael et al., Carcinogenesis 13:1127-1135, 1992). These data demonstrate that oxygen radicals can induce DNA damage that can result in a specific activation of a human proto-oncogene.

3T3 Cells↗

Alternative splicing of mRNA of mouse interleukin-4 and interleukin-6.

Interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 are multifunctional regulatory proteins, which participate both in haemopoiesis and in immunopoiesis. The alternative splicing of these interleukins in humans is known to proceed in a tissue-specific manner. Additionally, changes in splicing can also be dependent on tissue pathology. In this work, we report on the presence of alternatively spliced mRNA (IL-4delta2mRNA), lacking exon 2, in mouse bone marrow and spleen cells. We find that in unstimulated cells IL-4mRNA levels strongly dominate over IL-4delta2mRNA levels. Both increase in response to stimulation, with the concentration of the alternative variant rising earlier and faster than that of the full-length variant. In all other tissues studied dominance of IL-4delta2mRNA over the full-length variant was not observed. In addition, we find expression of three forms of IL-6 mRNA: the full-length IL-6 mRNA, IL-6Delta3 mRNA, and IL-6Delta5 mRNA in the second and third trimester placenta tissue and in the spleen of mice immunized with a high dose of sheep erythrocytes. It is anticipated that translation of these mRNA variants can generate proteins capable of binding to some subunits of the IL-6 receptor, thus possessing effector function. Alternative splicing is discussed as a source of cytokines with new regulatory properties.

Alternative Splicing↗

The 35-kDa protein from the N-terminus of the potyviral polyprotein functions as a third virus-encoded proteinase.

The polyprotein encoded by plant potyviruses is proteolytically processed to at least eight mature products by viral-encoded proteinases. While the proteinases that catalyze processing at most of the cleavage sites have been identified, the enzyme responsible for cleavage between the 35-kDa protein and helper component-proteinase (HC-Pro), near the N-terminus of the viral polyprotein, has not been mapped or characterized previously. Polyproteins containing the 35-kDa protein and HC-Pro were synthesized in the wheat germ system using defined RNA transcripts and were demonstrated to undergo proteolysis to generate products that resemble fully processed proteins. The C-terminal half of the 35-kDa protein was found to be required for proteolysis, whereas most of the HC-Pro sequence was dispensable. Amino acid substitutions affecting three positions, each of which are conserved in the 35-kDa protein encoded by five potyviruses, were shown to inhibit protein processing. These data suggest that the 35-kDa protein functions as a proteinase to cleave at its C-terminus. A model that accounts for all proteolytic processing events in the potyviral polyprotein is presented.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conformational analysis of cyclic hexapeptides designed as constrained ligands for the SH2 domain of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase.

The structures of the cyclic hexapeptide cyclo(-Gly-Tyr-Val-Pro-Met-Leu-) (1) and its phosphotyrosyl (pTyr) derivative cyclo[-Gly-Tyr(PO3H2)-Val-Pro-Met-Leu-] (2), designed as constrained models of a sequence that interacts with the src homology 2 (SH2) region of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI-3 kinase), were studied in methanol/water solutions by 500 MHz nmr spectroscopy. Compound 1 was found to exist as a 2:1 mixture of isomers about the Val-Pro bond (trans and cis prolyl) between 292-330 K in 75% CD3O(D,H)/(D,H)2O solutions. A third species of undetermined structure (ca. 5%) was also observed. Compound 2, a model of phosphorylated peptide ligand that binds to the PI-3 kinase SH2 domain, exhibited similar conformational isomerism. When either compound was dissolved in pure solvent [i.e., 100% CD3O(H,D) or (H,D)2O] the ratio of cis to trans isomers was ca 1:1. A battery of one- and two-dimensional nmr experiments at different temperatures and solvent compositions allowed a complete assignment of both the cis and trans forms of 1 and indicated the trans compound to be the major isomer. The spectral properties of the phophorylated derivative 2 paralleled those of 1, indicating like conformations for the two compounds. Analysis of rotating frame Overhauser spectroscopy data, coupling constants, amide proton temperature dependence, and amide proton exchange rates generated a set of constraints that were employed in energy minimization and molecular dynamics calculations using the CHARMM force field. The trans isomer exists with the tyrosine and C-terminal Tyr(+3) (Met) residues at opposite corners of the 18-membered ring separated by a distance of 16-18 A, in contrast with the cis isomer where the side chains of these residues are much closer in space (7-14 A). It was previously shown that the pTyr and the third amino acid C-terminal to this residue are the critical recognition elements for pTyr-peptide binding to the PI-3 kinase SH2 domain. Such cyclic structures may offer appropriate scaffolding for positioning important amino acid side chains of pTyr-containing peptides as a means of increasing their binding affinities to SH2 domains, and in turn provide a conceptual approach toward the design of SH2 domain directed peptidomimetics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Detection of free radicals as intermediates in the methemoglobin formation from oxyhemoglobin induced by hydroxylamine.

Four distinct paramagnetic intermediates could be observed in the reaction between oxyhemoglobin and hydroxylamine using ESR spectroscopy. The radical species exhibited different stability properties thus different techniques were required for their detection. Two of them were identified as the hydronitroxide radical (NH2O.) and the hemoglobin-nitric oxide complex (Hb2+-NO). The third one is a low-spin iron-(III)-complex, possibly the methemoglobin-hydroxylamine adduct. A fourth paramagnetic species was detected only in the absence of the iron chelator DETAPAC thus indicating that free iron ions were responsible for the formation of this intermediate. The same species was observed when a Fenton system was used to generate the radicals. This species was identified as being the Fe(NO)2X2 complex described in the literature (X = inorganic anions such as OH- or PO3-(4). The identification of the radical intermediates detected in the hydroxylamine-induced methemoglobin formation contributes to a more detailed understanding of the reaction sequence.

Animals↗

Factors modulating the effects of teleost telencephalon ablation on retention, relearning, and extinction of instrumental avoidance behavior.

Two experiments on the nature of avoidance behavior in the goldfish are reported. In the first experiment, a master/yoked design was used to determine the degree to which Pavlovian conditioning would generate acquisition of a shuttle response by goldfish. Results indicated that the mere sequence of signal-shock pairings experienced by the avoidance animals is not in this situation sufficient to explain the development of the instrumental avoidance responding. The second experiment was conducted to study the effects of three variables on the retention and extinction of the avoidance response. First, unilateral lesions of the telencephalon produced a transient deficit from which the subjects recovered to normal levels. Retention of the avoidance response after bilateral telencephalon ablation was impaired and never fully recovered with additional training. Second, this deficit was reduced under higher intensities of electric shock. Third, overtraining on the task before the ablation had only a nonsignificant enhancing effect on retention levels. Extinction was always poorer following ablation, independent of the type of ablation, intensity of shock, degree of overtraining, and terminal retention level of performance. The results are discussed in terms of various theories of telencephalic function in fish.

Animals↗