Impact of Ataxin-2 knock out on circadian locomotor behavior and PER immunoreaction in the SCN of mice

Chronobiol Int. 2017;34(1):129-137. doi: 10.1080/07420528.2016.1245666. Epub 2016 Oct 28.

Abstract

In Drosophila melanogaster, Ataxin-2 is a crucial activator of Period and is involved in the control of circadian rhythms. However, in mammals the function of Ataxin-2 is unknown despite its involvement in the inherited neurogenerative disease Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 2 in humans. Therefore, we analyzed locomotor behavior of Atxn2-deficient mice and their WT littermates under entrained- and free-running conditions as well as after experimental jet lag. Furthermore, we compared the PER1 and PER2 immunoreaction (IR) in the SCN. Atxn2-/- mice showed an unstable rhythmicity of locomotor activity, but the level of PER1 and PER2 IR in the SCN did not differ between genotypes.

Keywords: Endogenous clock; PER1; PER2; SCA2; spinocerebellar ataxia type 2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ataxin-2 / genetics
  • Ataxin-2 / metabolism*
  • Circadian Rhythm / genetics
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Mice
  • Motor Activity / genetics
  • Motor Activity / physiology*
  • Period Circadian Proteins / genetics
  • Period Circadian Proteins / metabolism*
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / metabolism*

Substances

  • Ataxin-2
  • Atxn2 protein, mouse
  • Per1 protein, mouse
  • Per2 protein, mouse
  • Period Circadian Proteins