title: Prevention of age-related memory deficit in transgenic mice by human choline acetyltransferase.
abstract: Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT, acetylCoA:choline O-acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.6) is the biosynthetic enzyme of neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Here we showed for the first time that transgenic mice with human ChAT kept excellent learning and memory ability during aging process. Transgenic mice were prepared through microinjection of human ChAT into mouse fertilized eggs, and PCR reaction was used to screen out the transgenic mice. The results of measurements of ChAT activity and acetylcholine level in mouse brain indicated that human ChAT gene was expressed throughout the life of the transgenic mice. The results of step-through test and water maze test suggested that learning and memory ability was improved in transgenic mice compared to that of their age-matched littermates. The results support our idea that supplement of ChAT might serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for cognitive deficit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu 610083, China.
authors.forename: Zhaohui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Ailing
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D018782:Maze Learning; D008568:Memory; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase