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Heterozygous Dcc Mutant Mice Have a Subtle Locomotor Phenotype
Louise Thiry1, Chloé Lemaire1, Ali Rastqar1
1Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval (CHUL)-Neurosciences P09800, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 4G2, Canada.
Eneuro
|February 4, 2022
Summary
Deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) heterozygous mice show subtle motor deficits, impacting neonatal and adult locomotion despite normal neural circuit formation. These findings suggest a role for DCC in fine-tuning motor control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) is crucial for neural circuit formation.
- Mutations in DCC are linked to human congenital mirror movements.
- DCC heterozygous mice (Dcc+/-) have not been extensively studied for motor function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential subtle motor deficits in Dcc+/- mice.
- To characterize corticospinal and spinal functions in Dcc+/- mice.
Main Methods:
- Anterograde tracing of the motor cortex.
- Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS).
- Behavioral tests including skilled forelimb coordination, gait analysis, and neonatal isolated spinal cord preparations.
Main Results:
- Dcc+/- mice exhibited normal corticospinal tract projection, ICMS responses, and skilled forelimb coordination.
- Gait analysis revealed subtle alterations in locomotion at slow speeds (decreased out-of-phase walk, increased stance duty cycle).
- Neonatal spinal cord analysis showed normal coupling but increased flexor-related motoneuronal output.
Conclusions:
- Dcc+/- mice do not display obvious bilateral motor impairments seen in humans.
- Subtle motor deficits in neonatal and adult locomotion exist in Dcc+/- mice.
- DCC plays a role in the fine-tuning of motor control.
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