title: Targeted disruption of the Pak5 and Pak6 genes in mice leads to deficits in learning and locomotion.
abstract: PAK6 is a member of the group B family of PAK serine/threonine kinases, and is highly expressed in the brain. The group B PAKs, including PAK4, PAK5, and PAK6, were first identified as effector proteins for the Rho GTPase Cdc42. They have important roles in filopodia formation, the extension of neurons, and cell survival. Pak4 knockout mice die in utero, and the embryos have several abnormalities, including a defect in the development of motor neurons. In contrast, Pak5 knockout mice do not have any noticeable abnormalities. So far nothing is known about the biological function of Pak6. To address this, we have deleted the Pak6 gene in mice. Since Pak6 and Pak5 are both expressed in the brain, we also generated Pak5/Pak6 double knockout mice. These mice were viable and fertile, but had several locomotor and behavioral deficits. Our results indicate that Pak5 and Pak6 together are not required for viability, but are required for a normal level of locomotion and activity as well as for learning and memory. This is consistent with a role for the group B PAKs in the nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nekrasova
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Jobes
authors.forename: Jenhao H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.forename: George C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minden
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods; D005838:Genotype; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000473:pathology; D018737:Hand Strength; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018782:Maze Learning; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010641:Phenotype; D011554:Pseudopodia / Q000473:pathology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D054462:p21-Activated Kinases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; C486708:Pak7 protein, mouse; C532966:Pak6 protein, mouse; D054462:p21-Activated Kinases; D004298:Dopamine