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Published on: November 17, 2009
DUSP15 expression is reduced in the hippocampus of Myrf knock-out mice but attention and object recognition memory
Florence Rawlings-Mortimer1, L Sophie Gullino2, Sebastian Rühling3
1Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Nuffield Dept of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
The atypical protein tyrosine phosphatase enzyme, dual-specificity phosphate 15 (DUSP15) is thought to be activated by myelin regulatory factor (MyRF) and to have a role in oligodendrocyte differentiation. Here, we assess whether Dusp15 is reduced in the hippocampus of mice with conditional knock-out of Myrf in oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) we found that Dusp15 expression was indeed lower in these mice. Alterations in myelin have been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Symptoms of these disorders can include impairments of object recognition and attention. We, therefore tested the mice in the object recognition task (ORT) and 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT). However, we did not find behavioural impairments indicating that attentional abilities and object recognition are not impacted by reduced oligodendrogenesis and hippocampal Dusp15 expression. Gaining insight into the role of newly formed oligodendrocytes and Dusp15 expression is helpful for the development of well targeted treatments for myelin dysregulation.
Insights
Myelin regulatory factor (MyRF) influences dual-specificity phosphatase 15 (DUSP15) in mice. Reduced DUSP15 and oligodendrogenesis did not impair object recognition or attention behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Myelin regulatory factor (MyRF) is implicated in activating dual-specificity phosphatase 15 (DUSP15) and oligodendrocyte differentiation.
- Myelin alterations are associated with neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of MyRF conditional knock-out on DUSP15 expression in the hippocampus.
- To evaluate the behavioral consequences of reduced oligodendrogenesis and DUSP15 expression on object recognition and attention.
Main Methods:
- Conditional knock-out of Myrf in oligodendrocyte precursor cells in mice.
- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to measure Dusp15 expression.
- Behavioral testing using the object recognition task (ORT) and 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT).
Main Results:
- Dusp15 expression was significantly lower in the hippocampus of mice with Myrf knock-out.
- No significant behavioral impairments in object recognition or attention were observed in these mice.
Conclusions:
- Reduced oligodendrogenesis and hippocampal DUSP15 expression, despite MyRF deficiency, do not appear to affect object recognition or attention behaviors.
- Further research into the role of oligodendrocytes and DUSP15 is crucial for developing targeted treatments for myelin dysregulation disorders.
