Searching for candidate genes with effects on an agonistic behavior, offense, in mice

Area of Science:

• Behavioral genetics
• Neurogenetics
• Mammalian genetics

Background:

• Agonistic behavior, specifically offense, in mice is a well-established heritable trait.
• Identifying specific genes influencing offense behavior remains a challenge.
• The non-pseudoautosomal region (NPAR) of the mouse Y chromosome has been implicated in regulating offense.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific genes on the mouse Y chromosome's NPAR that contribute to the heritability of offense behavior.
• To investigate the sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene as a positional candidate for influencing offense.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a positional candidate strategy to examine the role of the Y chromosome's NPAR in offense.
• Investigated the expression and potential targets of the SRY gene, a transcription factor.
• Examined differential effects of NPAR Y chromosomes across inbred mouse strains on offense behavior.

Main Results:

• SRY gene's mRNA is expressed in both fetal and adult mouse brains.
• SRY protein interacts with regulatory regions of the aromatase and Fra1 genes.
• These target genes are involved in brain neurotransmitter systems potentially modulating offense behavior.

Conclusions:

• The SRY gene is proposed as a positional candidate influencing offense behavior via its role as a transcription factor.
• SRY's interaction with aromatase and Fra1 suggests a molecular pathway through which the Y chromosome affects offense.
• Further investigation, including sequencing SRY across different inbred strains, is warranted to confirm its role.