Main description:

This detailed book explores techniques for further elucidating the peripheral and central roles of oxytocin as well as techniques key to oxytocin receptor-related drug discovery. The first set of chapters explore this neuropeptide's peripheral and central effects, such as regulation of myometrial contraction, induction of cardioprotective effects, and the facilitation of pro-social behaviors. The book then continues by delving into a comprehensive pharmacological characterization of oxytocin receptor ligands and ligands of other key receptors such as the vasopressin receptor family. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Authoritative and practical, Oxytocin: Methods and Protocols is an ideal guide for researchers seeking to further our knowledge of the varied and power effects of oxytocin within the central nervous system.

Contents:

1. The Importance of Experimental Investigation of the Peripheral Oxytocin System

Stephen J. Assinder

2. Human Myometrial Contractility Assays

Sarah Arrowsmith

3. The Effect of Oxytocin on Intracellular Ca2+ Release in Cardiac Cells

Anatoliy Shmygol, Sanaa H.S.H. Alameri, Khadeijah Y.K.M. Almemari, Naema M.A.J. Alsuwaidi, and Ifrah I. Ali

4. The Importance of Experimental Investigation of the CNS Oxytocin System

Kelsie A. Boulton and Adam J. Guastella

5. The Role of Oxytocin in Social Circuits and Social Behavior in Dementia

Olivier Piguet, Rebekah M. Ahmed, and Fiona Kumfor

6. Evaluating Methylation of the Oxytocin Receptor Gene and the Oxytocin Intergenic Region

Leonora King, Stephanie Robins, Gary Chen, Gustavo Turecki, and Phyllis Zelkowitz

7. Using Receptor Autoradiography to Visualize and Quantify Oxytocin and Vasopressin 1a Receptors in the Human and Nonhuman Primate Brain

Sara M. Freeman

8. Linking Central Gene Expression Patterns and Mental States Using Transcriptomics and Large-Scale Meta-Analysis of fMRI Data: A Tutorial and Example Using the Oxytocin Signaling Pathway

Jaroslav Rokicki, Daniel S. Quintana, and Lars T. Westlye

9. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genetic Engineering to Generate a Disease Model Prairie Vole, Based on the Species-Optimized Assisted Reproductive Technology

Kengo Horie and Katsuhiko Nishimori

10. The Current Status of Drug Discovery for the Oxytocin Receptor

Philippe E. Nashar, Aidan Whitfield, Jiri Mikusek, and Tristan A. Reekie

11. Fmoc Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis of Oxytocin and Analogues

Thomas Kremsmayr and Markus Muttenthaler

12. Employing the Operational Model to Measure System-Independent OTR Efficacy

Kiyan Afzali and Mark Connor

13. Use of BRET to Measure -Arrestin Recruitment at Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptors

Edin Muratspahic, Jasmin Gattringer, and Christian W. Gruber

14. Measuring Affinity of Ligands to the Oxytocin Receptor Using Radioligand Binding

Eryn L. Werry and Michael Kassiou

15. Use of Co-Cultures to Measure the Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability of Oxytocin

Yasuhiko Yamamoto, Ai Harashima, Sei-ichi Munesue, and Haruhiro Higashida

16. Intracerebral Delivery of an OTR Antagonist and Subsequent Behavioral Testing in Prairie Voles

Yu Hirota, Chisato Otsuki, Erika Kamura, and Shinichi Mitsui