title: Conditional deletion of ERK5 MAP kinase in the nervous system impairs pheromone information processing and pheromone-evoked behaviors.
abstract: ERK5 MAP kinase is highly expressed in the developing nervous system but absent in most regions of the adult brain. It has been implicated in regulating the development of the main olfactory bulb and in odor discrimination. However, whether it plays an essential role in pheromone-based behavior has not been established. Here we report that conditional deletion of the Mapk7 gene which encodes ERK5 in mice in neural stem cells impairs several pheromone-mediated behaviors including aggression and mating in male mice. These deficits were not caused by a reduction in the level of testosterone, by physical immobility, by heightened fear or anxiety, or by depression. Using mouse urine as a natural pheromone-containing solution, we provide evidence that the behavior impairment was associated with defects in the detection of closely related pheromones as well as with changes in their innate preference for pheromones related to sexual and reproductive activities. We conclude that expression of ERK5 during development is critical for pheromone response and associated animal behavior in adult mice.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Program in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
authors.forename: Junhui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Storm
authors.forename: Zhengui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xia
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D048054:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009929:Organ Size; D010675:Pheromones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010675:Pheromones; D048054:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7