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Behavioral characterization of Capn15 conditional knockout mice.
Congyao Zha1, Karine Gamache2, Oliver M Hardt2
1Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.
Behavioural Brain Research
|August 20, 2023
Summary
Calpain 15 (CAPN15) protein loss in mice forebrain neurons impairs adult behaviors, including motor coordination and fear memory. This suggests CAPN15 regulates complex behaviors in adult mammals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Calpain 15 (CAPN15) is a cysteine protease in the small optic lobe (SOL) calpain family.
- CAPN15 is crucial for development, with its loss causing eye anomalies and brain changes in mice.
- Human CAPN15 variants are linked to developmental delays and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CAPN15 in adult vertebrate behavior and learning.
- To determine if CAPN15 influences behaviors beyond its known developmental functions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Capn15 conditional knockout mice.
- Focused on loss of CAPN15 protein in excitatory forebrain neurons.
- Assessed behavioral changes including self-grooming, marble burying, motor learning (accelerated roto-rod), and fear conditioning.
Main Results:
- Loss of CAPN15 in forebrain neurons reduced self-grooming and marble burying behaviors.
- Conditional knockout mice showed decreased performance in the accelerated roto-rod test.
- Reduced pre-tone freezing was observed after fear conditioning in mice lacking CAPN15.
Conclusions:
- CAPN15 plays a significant role in regulating adult mouse behavior.
- The findings extend the known functions of CAPN15 from development to adult behavioral regulation.
- CAPN15 is implicated in motor coordination, habit-based behaviors, and fear memory consolidation.
