title: Sex-dependent novelty response in neurexin-1α mutant mice.
abstract: Neurexin-1 alpha (NRXN1α) belongs to the family of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), which are involved in the formation of neuronal networks and synapses. NRXN1α gene mutations have been identified in neuropsychiatric diseases including Schizophrenia (SCZ) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In order to get a better understanding of the pleiotropic behavioral manifestations caused by NRXN1α gene mutations, we performed a behavioral study of Nrxn1α heterozygous knock-out (+/-) mice and observed increased responsiveness to novelty and accelerated habituation to novel environments compared to wild type (+/+) litter-mates. However, this effect was mainly observed in male mice, strongly suggesting that gender-specific mechanisms play an important role in Nrxn1α-induced phenotypes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences & Pharmacology, Division of Neuroscience, Rudolf Magnus Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marijke C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Laarakker
authors.forename: Niels R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Reinders
authors.forename: Hilgo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bruining
authors.forename: Roel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ophoff
authors.forename: Martien J H
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kas
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009154:Mutation; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules; C527193:Nrxn1 protein, mouse