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Fecal corticosterone levels in RCAN1 mutant mice
Tammy Rakowski-Anderson1, Helen Wong, Beverly Rothermel
1Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, NYU Langone Medical Center-School of Medicine, USA. rakowt01@nyumc.org
Comparative Medicine
|May 2, 2012
Summary
Regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) knockout mice show reduced anxiety but have normal corticosterone levels. Overexpression in female mice increased corticosterone, suggesting RCAN1 influences this hormone independently of anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) is implicated in neurologic disorders like Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease.
- RCAN1-knockout mice display reduced innate anxiety, suggesting a role in behavioral regulation.
- The potential involvement of glucocorticoids in RCAN1-associated phenotypes requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between RCAN1 and corticosterone levels.
- To determine if glucocorticoids contribute to the anxiety phenotype observed in RCAN1-knockout mice.
- To examine corticosterone levels in mice with altered RCAN1 expression.
Main Methods:
- Fecal corticosterone levels were measured in wildtype, RCAN1-knockout, and transgenic mice overexpressing RCAN1.
- Behavioral analysis using the elevated-plus maze was used to assess anxiety.
- Sex differences in corticosterone levels were analyzed.
Main Results:
- RCAN1-knockout mice showed no significant difference in fecal corticosterone compared to wildtype littermates.
- Significant sex differences in corticosterone levels were observed.
- Female transgenic mice overexpressing RCAN1 exhibited higher corticosterone levels than wildtype females.
Conclusions:
- RCAN1 mutation does not appear to disrupt normal diurnal corticosterone production.
- The study does not support a causal role for glucocorticoids in the anxiety phenotype of RCAN1-knockout mice.
- RCAN1 may influence corticosterone levels, particularly in females, independent of its effect on anxiety.
