Lower anxiety and a decrease in agonistic behaviour in Lsamp-deficient mice.
In rodents, the Lsamp gene has been implicated in trait anxiety, fear reaction and fear conditioning. Human data link the LSAMP gene to several psychiatric disorders. In this study, we presented a general phenotypic characterization of Lsamp gene-deficient mouse line, created by deleting exon 1b. These mice displayed no gross sensory-motor deficiencies, no overt abnormalities and performed normally in memory and learning tests. However, they responded with increased activity to new environments. Moreover, they displayed reduced anxiety and notable deviations in social behaviour, such as lack of whisker trimming, reduced aggressiveness and reduced dominance. One possible explanation for the anxiolytic-like effect of the deletion of the Lsamp gene is a shift in balance in the Gabra1 and Gabra2 genes in the temporal lobe in favor of the Gabra2 transcript, encoding α2 subunit of GABA(A) receptors that mediate the stimulating effect of GABA agonists. The overall phenotype of Lsamp-deficient mice, characterized by decreased anxiety and several alterations in social behaviour, makes them a good model for studying the molecular mechanisms behind inadequate social behaviours observed in several psychiatric disorders.
Innos
Jürgen
J
Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia. jurgen.innos@gmail.com
Philips
Mari-Anne
MA
Leidmaa
Este
E
Heinla
Indrek
I
Raud
Sirli
S
Reemann
Paula
P
Plaas
Mario
M
Nurk
Kaarel
K
Kurrikoff
Kaido
K
Matto
Vallo
V
Visnapuu
Tanel
T
Mardi
Paavo
P
Kõks
Sulev
S
Vasar
Eero
E
D000378:Agonistic Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism
D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; C095362:limbic system-associated membrane protein; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase