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Mice lacking PKC gamma exhibit decreased anxiety
B J Bowers1, A C Collins, T Tritto
1Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309, USA. bbowers@colorado.edu
Behavior Genetics
|September 9, 2000
Summary
Mice lacking the protein kinase C gamma (PKC gamma) gene showed reduced anxiety behaviors in multiple tests. This suggests PKC gamma plays a role in anxiety regulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Anxiety disorders are complex, involving various neurochemical pathways.
- Protein Kinase C (PKC) signaling is implicated in neuronal function, but specific isoforms' roles in anxiety are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific role of the PKC gamma isoform in regulating anxiety-related behaviors.
- To determine if PKC gamma influences neurochemical pathways associated with anxiety.
Main Methods:
- Utilized knockout mice lacking the gene for PKC gamma, compared with heterozygote and wild-type littermates.
- Assessed anxiety-related behaviors using three established approach-avoidance tests: elevated plus-maze, black/white box, and mirrored chamber.
- Measured locomotor activity to control for potential confounds.
Main Results:
- PKC gamma null mutant mice consistently exhibited significantly lower baseline anxiety behaviors across all tested paradigms.
- Mutant mice showed increased exploration of open/anxious spaces (elevated plus-maze, mirrored chamber) and greater compartment transitions (black/white box).
- Reduced anxiety was not attributable to differences in locomotor activity.
Conclusions:
- PKC gamma is identified as a significant factor in the neurobiology of anxiety.
- Findings suggest PKC gamma may exert its anxiogenic effects through post-synaptic regulation of GABAA and 5-HT2 receptors.
- This research opens avenues for exploring PKC gamma as a therapeutic target for anxiety disorders.