Neurobehavioral Changes Resulting from Recombinase Activation Gene 1 Deletion

• DOI: 10.1128/cdli.10.1.13-18.2003
• Publication Date: 2003-01-09T23:04:09Z
• Authors: Jesse Cushman; Jeannette Lo; Zhi Huang; Clive Wasserfall; John M. Petitto
• Keywords: Gene knockout; Knockout mouse; Cre recombinase; Conditional gene knockout; Spontaneous alternation

ABSTRACT Recombinase activation gene 1 (RAG-1) function is essential for V(D)J recombination in T-cell-receptor and immunoglobulin rearrangements whereby the immune system may encode memories of a vast array antigens. The RAG-1 also localized to neurons hippocampal formation related limbic regions that are involved spatial learning memory as well other parameters neurobehavioral performance. Since unique ability shared by brain, we tested hypothesis loss brain would influence performance examined several different domains behavior RAG-1-knockout control mice. Compared mice, mice exhibited increased locomotor activity an open field under both dim bright lighting conditions decreased habituation (reduction expected decline with increasing familiarity novel environment 1-h test session) lighting. showed reduced levels fearfulness some measures fear-motivated open-field elevated-plus maze test. Contrary our hypothesis, no differences were found between groups, although modest observed visible-platform testing Morris water maze. Neither prepulse inhibition, measure sensorimotor gating, nor reflexive acoustic startle responses differed It remains be determined if these changes due expression absence (e.g., cytokines neuromodulatory activities), or combination effects. Study neurobiological actions provide new insights into important processes normal disease.