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Published on: October 6, 2017
Hippocampal Apoptosis and Cognitive Function in Dysbindin-1B+/+ Mice
1State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences,CAMS and PUMC,Beijing 100005,China.
Insights
Dysbindin-1B+/+ mice exhibit neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus, leading to impaired locomotor activity and spatial memory. These findings suggest dysbindin-1B+/+ expression may contribute to anxious behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Dysbindin-1B is a protein implicated in various neurological functions.
- Understanding its role in neuronal health and behavior is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dysbindin-1B+/+ expression on hippocampal apoptosis.
- To assess the behavioral impact of dysbindin-1B+/+ in mice, focusing on locomotor activity and spatial memory.
Main Methods:
- TUNEL assay and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate apoptosis in the hippocampus.
- Open field and T-maze tests were conducted to assess locomotor activity, exploratory behavior, and spatial memory in dysbindin-1B+/+ and wild-type mice.
Main Results:
- TUNEL-positive neurons and signs of apoptosis were observed in the hippocampus of dysbindin-1B+/+ mice, particularly in the dentate gyrus, but not in wild-type mice.
- Dysbindin-1B+/+ mice showed significantly reduced moving distance and time in the central area during the open field test.
- Spatial memory, assessed by T-maze test accuracy at 60s and 180s intervals, was significantly impaired in dysbindin-1B+/+ mice compared to wild-type controls.
Conclusions:
- Dysbindin-1B+/+ expression induces neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus.
- This apoptosis may underlie the observed anxious behaviors, impaired locomotor activity, and deficits in spatial memory in dysbindin-1B+/+ mice.
Abstract:
Objective To explore the apoptosis in the hippocampus of dysbindin-1B+/+ mice and the behaviors of 4-month-old dysbindin-1B+/+ mice and wild-type mice. Methods The hippocampus of dysbindin-1B+/+ mice and corresponding wild-type mice were assessed by TUNEL assay and transmission electron microscopy. Then twelve 4-month-old male dysbindin-1B+/+ mice and twelve wild-type mice were enrolled. The open field and T maze test were conducted to observe locomotor activity,exploratory behaviors,and spatial memory. Result TUNEL+ neurons were found in hippocampus of dysbindin-1B+/+ mice,especially in dentate gyrus region,but not in that of wild-type mice(t=12.98,P<0.0001). Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of middle-and late-stage apoptosis in the hippocampus of dysbindin-1B+/+ mice,while there was no apoptosis in wild-type mice. Open field test showed that,compared with the moving distance of wild-type mice [(3632±606)cm],dysbindin-1B+/+ mice presented significantly lower moving distances [(2887±376)cm] (t=2.993,P=0.0122). Meanwhile,compared with the moving time of wild-type mice in the central area [(114.00±34.09)s],dysbindin-1B+/+ mice presented lower moving time [(64.22±14.67)s] (t=4.649,P=0.0023). T maze test showed that when the interval between forced run and test run were 60 s and 180 s,respectively,the accuracy of dysbindin-1B+/+ was (70.40±15.17)% and (59.28±9.10)%,which was significantly lower than those of wild type mice (91.67±13.94)% (t=3.261,P=0.0258) and (83.33±14.89)% (t=3.687,P=0.0291);when the interval was 15 s,there was no significant difference between these two groups [100% vs.(94.45±6.08)%; t=0.851,P=0.0756]. Conclusion Dysbindin-1B+/+ expression can cause the apoptosis of neurons,which may cause anxious behavior and impair the locomotor activity and spatial memory.
