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Published on: December 13, 2014
Expanded characterization of the social interaction abnormalities in mice lacking Dvl1
J M Long1, P LaPorte, R Paylor
1Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Genes, Brain, and Behavior
|February 13, 2004
Summary
Mice lacking Dvl1 show social interaction deficits, particularly in recognizing social hierarchy. Sensorimotor gating deficits previously observed were not replicated, suggesting environmental influences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Dishevelled 1 (Dvl1) is crucial for Wnt and planar cell polarity signaling during development.
- Previous studies indicated Dvl1-deficient mice exhibit social interaction and sensorimotor gating abnormalities.
- Replication and expansion of behavioral assays were necessary to validate these findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate and confirm the behavioral phenotypes of Dvl1-null mice.
- To investigate the genetic and environmental influences on Dvl1-associated behaviors.
- To clarify the specific social deficits linked to Dvl1 deficiency.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral testing of Dvl1-null and wildtype mice.
- Assays included social interaction, sensorimotor reflexes, motor activity, nociception, learning, and memory.
- Specific social assessments involved dominance, recognition, nest building, and ultrasonic vocalizations.
Main Results:
- Dvl1-null mice consistently showed impairments in social interaction tasks, especially those involving social hierarchy.
- No deficits were observed in social memory or sensorimotor gating (prepulse inhibition) across different institutions.
- The social interaction phenotype appears to be strongly genetically influenced.
Conclusions:
- The social interaction deficits in Dvl1-null mice are robust and genetically determined.
- Sensorimotor gating deficits are likely influenced by environmental factors.
- Dvl1 deficiency is specifically linked to impaired recognition of social dominance and hierarchy.
