Individual and group housing in N-type Ca2+ channel alpha1B subunit-deficient mice differently affect motor activity.
N-type Ca2+ channel alpha1B-deficient mice have increased activity (ambulation, repetitive behavior, and rearing combined), suggesting contribution by the N-type Ca2+ channel, localized in the plasma membrane and essential for neurotransmitter release, on motor activity. We evaluated the effect of a 6-wk postweaning period of either individual or group housing on the activity displayed in a novel environment with or without previous habituation. Without habituation, male homozygous alpha1B-deficient mice showed significantly higher activity than wild-type controls, with no influence of the housing condition. When habituated, hyperactivity was seen in individually housed but not group-housed homozygous alpha1B-deficient mice. The results indicate that controlling for housing condition can be important when phenotypically analyzing mutant mice.
Takahashi
Eiki
E
Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co, Ibaraki, Japan. e2-takahashi@hhc.eisai.co.jp
Nagasu
Takeshi
T
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D006720:Homozygote; D006799:Housing, Animal; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000235:genetics*; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology
C500963:Cacna1b protein, mouse; D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type; D003345:Corticosterone