Genetic background influences P/Q-type Ca2+ channel alpha1A subunit mRNA expression in olfactory bulb and reproductive ability of N-type Ca2+ channel alpha1B subunit-deficient mice.
The Ca2+ channel alpha1B subunit is a pore-forming component capable of generating N-type Ca2+ channel activity. Although the N-type Ca2+ channel plays a role in a variety of neuronal functions, alpha1B-deficient mice did not show apparent behavioral abnormality. In a previous study, we observed a compensatory increase of mRNA expression of the P/Q-type Ca2+ channel alpha1A subunit gene in olfactory bulb of alpha1B-deficient mice with a CBA x C57BL/6 background; these mice showed a normal reproductive ability. In this study, we found that the mRNA expression level of the alpha1A subunit was the same in olfactory bulb of wild, heterozygous, and homozygous alpha1B-deficient mice with a CBA/JN background, and the homozygous male mice produced no offspring. These results suggest that the genetic background influences alpha1A subunit mRNA expression and reproductive ability in alpha1B-deficient mice.
Takahashil
Eiki
E
Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co. Ltd., 5-1-3 Tokodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2635, Japan. e2-takahashi@hhc.eisai.co.jp
Nagasu
Takeshi
T
D000818:Animals; D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type / Q000172:deficiency*; D020865:Calcium Channels, P-Type / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D020907:Calcium Channels, Q-Type / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000378:metabolism*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics*
D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type; D020865:Calcium Channels, P-Type; D020907:Calcium Channels, Q-Type; C500963:Cacna1b protein, mouse