Metallothionein-3 deficient mice exhibit abnormalities of psychological behaviors.
Metallothioneins (MTs) are metal binding proteins and have four isoforms. MT-3, known as growth inhibitory factor (GIF), exists mainly in the central nervous system. It regulates zinc levels and exhibits a neuroprotective effect in the various types of brain diseases. However, the reports demonstrate that the relation between MT-3 and psychiatric disorder is still unknown. In the present study, the authors carried out behavioral tests on MT-3 knock-out (KO) mice. The duration of the MT-3 KO mice's social interactions were significantly shorter than that of the wild-type (WT) mice. The acoustic startle response of the MT-3 KO mice showed diminished prepulse inhibition (PPI) at all prepulse intensities. However, the locomotor activity tests of the MT-3 KO mice displayed normal circadian rhythm, activity, and habituation to a novel environment. In the novel object recognition test, the MT-3 KO mice exhibited normal memory. These findings indicate that abnormalities of psychological behavior were observed in the MT-3 KO mice. Further experiments will be needed to clarify the involvement of MT-3 in higher brain function.
Koumura
Akihiro
A
Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Japan; Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Gifu University of Medicine, Japan.
Kakefuda
Kenichi
K
Honda
Akiko
A
Ito
Yasushi
Y
Tsuruma
Kazuhiro
K
Shimazawa
Masamitsu
M
Uchida
Yoko
Y
Hozumi
Isao
I
Satoh
Masahiko
M
Inuzuka
Takashi
T
Hara
Hideaki
H
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic / Q000502:physiology; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D000090023:Metallothionein 3; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000502:physiology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D013997:Time Factors
D000090023:Metallothionein 3; C000715430:Mt3 protein, mouse; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins