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Published on: February 26, 2012
Nedl1 knockout impaired the learning and memory of mice
Qian Lu1, Meng-Jia Liu2, Shu-Fang Guo3
1Department of Pediatrics, First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China; Department of Pediatrics, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
Background:
Protein ubiquitination is a common post-translational modification involved in protein degradation and various life processes in cells. NEDL1 is a ubiquitin ligase that is highly expressed primarily in the brain. However, the functions of NEDL1 in social approach/novelty preference, anxiety, learning and memory remain poorly understood.
Methods:
Nedl1 knockout mice (Nedl1-/-) and wild-type mice (Nedl1+/+) were tested using three-chamber test, elevated plus maze, and Barnes maze. Then, brain tissue was stained, and blood was collected for metabolic analysis.
Results:
Compared with Nedl1+/+ mice, Nedl1-/- mice showed no differences in social approach/novelty preference and anxiety behavior. Nedl1-/- mice displayed impaired learning and memory. Nedl1 knockout did not affect the number of neurons and oligodendrocytes in the hippocampus. Astrocytes proliferated in the hippocampus of Nedl1-/- mice. The amino acid metabolism of Nedl1+/+and Nedl1-/- mice is different, especially the increase in proline and tryptophan.
Conclusion:
This study showed that Nedl1 knockout impaired learning and memory, which may be related to astrocyte proliferation and amino acid metabolism change. Nedl1 knockout did not affect social style/novelty preference and anxiety behavior in mice. The preliminary study of NEDL1 in neurobehavioral function could help understand the role of NEDL1 in the nervous system.
