Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

In-vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In-vitro Mutagenesis

17.7K
To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
17.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Understanding, predicting, and treating depression in pregnancy to improve mothers' and offspring's mental health outcomes: The HappyMums study.

Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2025
Same author

Fostering inclusion in medical training: accommodations for hearing loss.

Occupational medicine (Oxford, England)·2024
Same author

Noise-induced hearing loss in the pre-industrial era: early contributions in <i>De Morbis Artificum</i> by Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714).

The Journal of laryngology and otology·2023
Same author

Monkeypox vaccine-related stigma.

Public health in practice (Oxford, England)·2022
Same author

Exposure to chronic stress impairs the ability to cope with an acute challenge: Modulation by lurasidone treatment.

European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology·2022
Same author

An ugly man with a bi-lobar goiter. "Christ and the Adulteress" (c. 1506) by Nicolò de Barbari.

Journal of endocrinological investigation·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Applying Stereotactic Injection Technique to Study Genetic Effects on Animal Behaviors
07:54

Applying Stereotactic Injection Technique to Study Genetic Effects on Animal Behaviors

Published on: May 10, 2015

14.9K

Morc1 knockout evokes a depression-like phenotype in mice.

M Schmidt1, C Brandwein1, A Luoni2

  • 1Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim (ZI), Medical Faculty of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, D-68159, Mannheim, Germany.

Behavioural Brain Research
|August 16, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Mice lacking the Morc1 gene exhibit increased depressive-like behaviors, suggesting Morc1 is crucial for mood regulation. This study introduces a potential mouse model for depression linked to early life stress.

Keywords:
BdnfDepressionEarly life stressEpigeneticsMorc1Transgenic mice

More Related Videos

Light/dark Transition Test for Mice
10:35

Light/dark Transition Test for Mice

Published on: November 13, 2006

54.1K
Elevated Plus Maze for Mice
09:09

Elevated Plus Maze for Mice

Published on: December 22, 2008

93.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Applying Stereotactic Injection Technique to Study Genetic Effects on Animal Behaviors
07:54

Applying Stereotactic Injection Technique to Study Genetic Effects on Animal Behaviors

Published on: May 10, 2015

14.9K
Light/dark Transition Test for Mice
10:35

Light/dark Transition Test for Mice

Published on: November 13, 2006

54.1K
Elevated Plus Maze for Mice
09:09

Elevated Plus Maze for Mice

Published on: December 22, 2008

93.2K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • The Morc1 gene is implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD) associated with early life stress, identified through genetic and methylation studies.
  • No established animal model currently exists to validate Morc1's role in MDD behaviorally.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the behavioral effects of a Morc1 loss-of-function mutation in female mice.
  • To assess if Morc1 deficiency leads to mood disorder-related behaviors and to explore underlying physiological changes.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of Morc1 knockout (Morc1(-/-)) female mice on a C57BL/6N background.
  • Behavioral testing using the Forced Swim Test, Learned Helplessness Paradigm, O-Maze, and Dark-Light-Box.
  • Measurement of corticosterone (CORT) plasma levels and hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Bdnf) mRNA levels.

Main Results:

  • Morc1(-/-) mice displayed significantly increased depressive-like behavior compared to wildtype littermates.
  • No significant differences were observed in locomotor activity or anxiety-like behaviors between the groups.
  • While CORT levels were similar, hippocampal Bdnf mRNA levels were unexpectedly upregulated in Morc1(-/-) mice.

Conclusions:

  • Morc1(-/-) mice exhibit a specific increase in depressive-like behaviors without altered anxiety or general activity.
  • The findings suggest Morc1 plays a critical role in regulating mood, potentially through mechanisms involving hippocampal Bdnf.
  • Morc1 knockout mice represent a promising, epigenetically validated model for studying depression linked to early life stress.