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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Cellular prion protein modulates defensive attention and innate fear-induced behaviour evoked in transgenic mice submitted to an agonistic encounter with the tropical coral snake Oxyrhopus guibei

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Author(s):
Lobao-Soares, Bruno [1] ; Walz, Roger [2, 3] ; Schroeder Prediger, Rui Daniel [4] ; Freitas, Renato Leonardo [5] ; Calvo, Fabricio [6] ; Bianchin, Marino Muxfeldt [2, 7] ; Leite, Joao Pereira [2] ; Landemberger, Michele Christine [8] ; Coimbra, Norberto Cysne [5, 9, 10]
Total Authors: 9
Affiliation:
[1] Edmond & Lilly Safra Int Inst Neurosci Natal, Natal, RN - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Neurol Psychiat & Med Psychol, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Santa Catarina, Dept Internal Med, Florianopolis, SC - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Santa Catarina, Dept Pharmacol, Florianopolis, SC - Brazil
[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Neurociencias & Comportamento, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[6] Sao Lucas Ctr Teaching, Dept Pharmacol, Lab Expt Pharmacol, BR-78916450 Porto Velho, Rondonia - Brazil
[7] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, FAMED, Dept Internal Med, Div Neurol, BR-90046900 Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
[8] Ludwig Inst Canc Res, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[9] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Farmacol, Lab Neuroanat & Neuropsicobiol, Sch Med Ribeirao P, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[10] Univ Oxford, Dept Physiol Anat & Genet, Pain Imaging Neurosci Grp, Oxford OX1 3OX - England
Total Affiliations: 10
Document type: Journal article
Source: Behavioural Brain Research; v. 194, n. 2, p. 129-137, DEC 12 2008.
Web of Science Citations: 28
Abstract

The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a neuronal anchored glycoprotein that has been associated with distinct functions in the CNS, such as cellular adhesion and differentiation, synaptic plasticity and cognition. Here we investigated the putative involvement of the PrPC in the innate fear-induced behavioural reactions in wild-type (WT), PrPC knockout (Prnp(0/0)) and the PrPC overexpressing Tg-20 mice evoked in a prey versus predator paradigm. The behavioural performance of these mouse strains in olfactory discrimination tasks was also investigated. When confronted with coral snakes, mice from both Prnp(0/0) and Tg-20 strains presented a significant decrease in frequency and duration of defensive attention and risk assessment, compared to WT mice. Tg-20 mice presented decreased frequency of escape responses, increased exploratory behaviour, and enhancement of interaction with the snake, suggesting a robust fearlessness caused by PrPC overexpression. Interestingly, there was also a discrete decrease in the attentional defensive response (decreased frequency of defensive alertness) in Prnp(0/0) mice in the presence of coral snakes. Moreover, Tg-20 mice presented an increased exploration of novel environment and odors. The present findings indicate that the PrPC overexpression causes hyperactivity, fearlessness, and increased preference for visual, tactile and olfactory stimuli-associated novelty, and that the PrPC deficiency might lead to attention deficits. These results suggest that PrPC exerts an important role in the modulation of innate fear and novelty-induced exploration. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. (AU)