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Published on: July 14, 2016
Behavioral alterations in mice lacking the gene for tenascin-x
Kohei Kawakami1, Ken-ichi Matsumoto
1Department of Experimental Animals, Center for Integrated Research in Science, Shimane University, Enya-cho, Izumo, Japan.
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|April 7, 2011
Summary
Tenascin-X (TNX) deficiency in mice altered behaviors, increasing anxiety and improving memory and sensorimotor coordination. These findings highlight TNX's role in brain function and behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Tenascin-X (TNX) is a large extracellular matrix glycoprotein.
- TNX is found in brain connective tissues and muscular tissues.
- Human genetic studies link TNX single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral functions of TNX.
- To analyze the impact of TNX deficiency on affect, learning, memory, and motor control.
Main Methods:
- Generation of TNX-deficient (TNX-/-) mice using homologous recombination.
- Behavioral testing including light-dark, open-field, passive avoidance, and rotorod tests.
- Home-cage activity monitoring using telemetric methods.
Main Results:
- TNX-/- mice exhibited increased anxiety in light-dark and open-field tests.
- Superior memory retention was observed in TNX-/- mice during passive avoidance tests.
- TNX-/- mice demonstrated enhanced sensorimotor coordination on the rotorod test.
- No significant difference in locomotor activity was found between TNX-/- and wild-type mice.
Conclusions:
- Tenascin-X plays a significant role in regulating anxiety-like behaviors.
- TNX influences emotional learning and memory processes.
- The extracellular matrix glycoprotein TNX is implicated in sensorimotor abilities.
