Western Blots To Quantify NMDA Receptors In Scarlet Shiner Brains

Enrique and Rebecca have begun to set up Western blots of treated brain tissues from scarlet shiners to quantify the presence of NMDA receptors. These receptors are clusters of proteins in the cell membranes of brain cells, cells that facilitate both learning and sexual activity in fishes as primary signalling conduits between clusters of brain cells. Our interest in these receptors is to examine probable differences in brain structure between dominant males, subdominant males, reproductive females, and juveniles. Studies of other fish species have shown that males have a relatively high, steady number of these receptors in key brain areas, while females show strong seasonal and age variability in receptor number. This is of interest to us because scarlet shiners are both seasonal breeders and sexually dimorphic; that is, males become brightly colored during breeding season as the result of increased circulating levels of different types of testosterone. Reproductive hormones like testosterone and estrogen also have a strong influence on brain structure and function, so understanding different levels of NMDA receptors is a key part of understanding the neurobiology of scarlet shiner reproductive ecology.

I have to admit that I've never worked with Western blots before; my co-investigator, Amy, has done lots of work with this electrophoretic technique and her lab is set up for running Westerns. What we're doing is really a form of interdisciplinary research between a neuroscientist (Amy) and an aquatic ecologist (me). So far this collaboration is producing strong results, and of course I'll keep you posted on this site. See ya!