Cellular prion protein regulates the motor behaviour performance and anxiety-induced responses in genetically modified mice

Author(s)

Lobão-Soares‚ B. ; Walz‚ R. ; Carlotti Jr‚ C.G. ; Sakamoto‚ A.C. ; Calvo‚ F. ; Terzian‚ A.L.B. ; Silva‚ J.A. ; Wichert-Ana‚ L. ; Coimbra‚ N.C. ; Bianchin‚ M.M.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Behavioural Brain Research; v. 183, n. 1, p. 87-94, 2007.

Abstract

The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a sialoglycoprotein involved in neuroplasticity processes and synaptic transmission. This study investigated behavioural responses (balance in the rota-rod test at 24 rpm, motility in the open-field test, anxiety in the elevated plus-maze test) in Zurich developed wild-type adult mice (WT, controls of normal PrPC expression), in knockout (KO) mice (Prnp(0/0), with no PrPC expression), and in PrPC overexpressing Tg-20 mice. After 8 min in the rota-rod test, Tg-20 animals presented significantly fewer falls (1.08 +/- 1.56 falls) than both WT (7.27 +/- 4.36) and KO (7.6 +/- 6.15) mice (p < 0.01). In the open field test, Tg-20 animals showed significantly increased motility [rearing = 23.4 +/- 7.85, crossing = 97.30 +/- 32.11) when compared with KO mice (rearing = 5.45 +/- 3.69 and crossing = 59.73 +/- 15.43) or WT mice (rearing = 6.5 +/- 20.23 and crossing = 45.18 +/- 20.33) (p < 0.0 1). In the elevated plus-maze test, Tg-20 mice showed less anxiety (head projections = 7.3 +/- 1.62) when compared with WT animals (3.38 +/- 0.67) (p < 0.05). Moreover, KO mice spent more time in the centre of the plus maze (37.80 +/- 5.57 s) than did WT mice (22.57 +/- 3.82) (p < 0.05). PrPC overexpressing mice evoked increased motility, less anxiety, and increased equilibrium when compared with WT control animals in the behavioural protocols used. KO animals also tended to evoke fewer anxiety-related responses in the elevated plus-maze test. These findings indicate that the levels of PrPC in adult life are associated with possible changes in motility, anxiety, and equilibrium. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 03/13189-2 - The role of celular prion protein in physiological and pathological processes II
• Grantee: Vilma Regina Martins
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants