Mice that lack the C-terminal region of Reelin exhibit behavioral abnormalities related to neuropsychiatric disorders.

ABSTRACT: The secreted glycoprotein Reelin is believed to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of several neuropsychiatric disorders. The highly basic C-terminal region (CTR) of Reelin is necessary for efficient activation of its downstream signaling, and the brain structure of knock-in mice that lack the CTR (?C-KI mice) is impaired. Here, we performed a comprehensive behavioral test battery on ?C-KI mice, in order to evaluate the effects of partial loss-of-function of Reelin on brain functions. The ?C-KI mice were hyperactive and exhibited reduced anxiety-like and social behaviors. The working memory in ?C-KI mice was impaired in a T-maze test. There was little difference in spatial reference memory, depression-like behavior, prepulse inhibition, or fear memory between ?C-KI and wild-type mice. These results suggest that CTR-dependent Reelin functions are required for some specific normal brain functions and that ?C-KI mice recapitulate some aspects of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.

SUBMITTER: Sakai K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4921851 | biostudies-other | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other