To die or not to die, does it change the function? Behavior of transgenic mice reveals a role for developmental cell death.
In humans, perturbations in the developmental neuronal death leading to an excess of neurons could be associated with developmental neuropsychiatric disorders. Hu-bcl-2 transgenic mice appear to be a valuable tool to study the functional role of developmental programmed cell death. Indeed, the over-expression of the anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2 decreases developmental neuronal death and Hu-bcl-2 mice present supernumerary neurons in several brain regions. A detailed behavioral analysis of these mice revealed selective deficits. Hu-bcl-2 mice have normal vision, general activity and motor skills. Only the most complex behavior like anxiety and learning abilities are impaired in these mice.
Rondi-Reig
Laure
L
Neurobiologie des Processus Adaptatifs, Lab. Développement et Vieillissement du Sysème Nerveux (DVSN), Université P&M Curie, Paris, France. laure.rondi-reig@college-de-france.fr
Mariani
Jean
J
D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009421:Nervous System Malformations / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics*
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2