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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
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Measuring Motor Coordination in Mice
Published on: May 29, 2013
Sema4D/CD100 deficiency leads to superior performance in mouse motor behavior
Kazunori Yukawa1, Tetsuji Tanaka, Noriko Takeuchi
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University, Tempaku-ku, Nagoya, Japan.
Summary
Mice lacking Sema4D (semaphorin 4D) exhibited enhanced motor activity and improved motor coordination. This suggests Sema4D plays a key role in the neurodevelopment of motor behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Class 4 semaphorin Sema4D/CD100 is vital for growth cone guidance in developing neurons.
- Sema4D is expressed in the embryonic and postnatal central nervous system, particularly in oligodendrocytes and myelin.
- Its role in neuronal network development and neurobehavioral performance remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral consequences of Sema4D deficiency in mice.
- To determine if Sema4D plays a role in the neurodevelopment of motor behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral analyses were performed on wild-type and Sema4D-deficient mice.
- Tests included open-field, adhesive tape removal, rotarod, and water maze tasks.
Main Results:
- Sema4D-deficient mice showed increased locomotor activity and less time in the center of the open field.
- They demonstrated superior performance in motor coordination and balance tests (adhesive tape removal, rotarod).
- Sema4D-deficient mice swam faster in the water maze, indicating accelerated motor behavior.
Conclusions:
- Sema4D deficiency leads to enhanced motor activity and improved motor coordination in mice.
- These findings highlight the crucial involvement of Sema4D in the neurodevelopment of motor behaviors.
- Sema4D is implicated in the development of central nervous system structures mediating motor function.
