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The main aim of a present project is to establish new molecular targets involved in the regulation of emotional behaviour. According to this knowledge we are aiming to develop the new animal models for studying of emotional disorders. In the first stage of project the validated models will be applied to induce the emotional behaviour in rats. The elevated plus-maze will be used to select the rats according to their exploratory behaviour. Also we will use the administration of the anxiogenic beta-carboline DMCM to rats. The effects of these manipulations will be studied on the gene expression in the brain structures involved in the regulation of emotional behaviour. According to these data the genes of interest will be selected and cloned. After that the transgenic technology will be applied to induce the targeted mutagenesis of these genes. We have already selected from the previous study, where the rats have been exposed to cat odour, several new genes, including wolframin, LAMP and NFB42. Currently we are cloning these genes. The careful histological, biochemical and behavioural analysis of mice will be performed after the generation of transgenic animals. In the behavioural experiments we will study the emotional behaviour and learning abilities of transgenic mice. We hope to get the new animal models for the study of molecular background of emotional disorders and for the development of new drugs to treat these disorders. |