Behavioral and Synaptic Phenotypes of Female Prdx6^-/- Mice

Peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) is expressed throughout the brain, including the hippocampus, where it plays a potential role in synaptic regulation and forming emotional and spatial memories. PRDX6 is predominantly detected in the female mouse's hippocampus; thus, we investigate the effect of the Prdx6 gene on behavioral phenotypes and synaptic functions using female Prdx6 knockout (Prdx6) mice. Our results demonstrate that female Prdx6 mice exhibited anxiety-like behavior, enhanced contextual fear memory, and impaired spatial memory. We also found increased, paired-pulse facilitation ratios, and decreased long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal region of these female Prdx6 mice. The present study helps to understand better the PRDX6's role in emotional response and spatial memory formation in female mice.