[Effects of Synaptotagmin1 gene knockout on the behavior of mice]

Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2022 Mar;38(2):97-101. doi: 10.12047/j.cjap.6233.2022.034.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To study the effects of Synaptotagmin1 gene knockout (Syt1+/-) on emotional behavior in mice and explore its possible mechanisms. Methods: Five 8-week-old male Syt1+/-mice and five wild-type (WT) mice in the same litter were selected. The expressions of Syt1 in 6 mice brain regions of prelimbic cortex (PL), hippocampus (HIP), amygdala (AMY), accumbens nucleus (ACB), caudoputamen (CP) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) were detected by Immunofluorescence staining. Nine 8-week-old male Syt1+/-mice and ten WT mice were selected as controls. The anxiety-like behaviors of adult Syt1+/- mice and WT mice were detected by open field test, elevated plus maze test and forced swim test. In addition, five 8-week-old male Syt1+/-mice and five WT mice were selected to detect the glutamate content in prelimbic cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. Results: Compared with WT mice, the number of Syt1 positive cells in PL, HIP, AMY, ACB, CP and VTA were decreased significantly in Syt1+/- mice (P<0.01); Syt1+/- mice had less total movement distance in open field test (P<0.01), more preference for peripheral area (P<0.01) and less desire to explore the central platform (P<0.01), while Syt1+/- mice preferred to stay in a closed and safe environment (P<0.01); the number (P<0.05) and the time spent in open-arm explorations (P<0.01) were reduced significantly; the immobile time of Syt1+/- mice was increased in the forced swim test (P<0.01). Meanwhile, the concentration of glutamate in the amygdala of Syt1+/- mice was increased significantly (P<0.01). Conclusion: Syt1 gene knockout leads to significant anxiety-like behavior in mice, which is deduced that related to the increase of glutamate content in the amygdala.

目的: 研究Synaptotagmin 1基因敲除(Syt1+/-)对小鼠情绪行为的影响并初步探讨其可能机制。方法: 选取8周龄雄性Syt1+/-小鼠及同窝野生型(WT)小鼠各5只,采用免疫荧光染色方法观察小鼠前额叶皮层、海马、杏仁核、伏隔核、纹状体和腹侧被盖区等6个脑区中Syt1的表达;选用8周龄雄性Syt1+/-小鼠9只,以及WT小鼠10只为对照,通过旷场实验、高架十字迷宫实验和强迫游泳实验检测比较成年Syt1+/-小鼠和WT小鼠的焦虑样行为;另选用8周龄雄性Syt1+/-小鼠及WT小鼠各5只,检测小鼠前额叶皮层、海马和杏仁核的谷氨酸含量。结果: 与WT小鼠相比,Syt1+/-小鼠在前额叶皮层、海马、杏仁核、伏隔核、纹状体和腹侧被盖区Syt1阳性细胞数目显著减少(P<0.01);Syt1+/-小鼠在旷场中总移动距离显著减少(P<0.01),并更偏爱在外周区域活动(P<0.01),对中心区域的探索欲望显著下降(P<0.01);Syt1+/-小鼠更偏好待在封闭安全环境中(P<0.01),开臂探索次数(P<0.05)和在其中运动的时间显著减少(P<0.01);Syt1+/-小鼠在强迫游泳实验中不动时间明显增加(P<0.01);同时,Syt1+/-小鼠杏仁核中谷氨酸的含量显著增加(P<0.01)。结论: Syt1基因敲除可以引起小鼠显著的焦虑样行为,推测与杏仁核中谷氨酸含量增加有关。.

Keywords: Synaptotagmin 1; anxiety; glutamate; mouse.

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala*
  • Animals
  • Anxiety*
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout

Substances

  • Glutamic Acid