Knockout of the orphan membrane transporter Slc22a23 leads to a lean and hyperactive phenotype with a small hippocampal volume

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309461
• Publication Date: 2024-08-28T18:42:46Z
• Authors: Yasuhiro Uchimura; Kodai Hino; Kosuke Hattori; Yoshinori Kubo; Airi Owada; Tomoko Kimura; Lucia Sugawara; Shinji Kume; Jean-Pierre Bellier; Daijiro Yanagisawa; Akihiko Shiino; Takahisa Nakayama; Yataro Daigo; Tomoji Mashimo; Jun Udagawa
• Keywords: Knockout mouse; Gene knockout

Epidemiological studies suggest that poor nutrition during pregnancy predisposes offspring to the development of lifestyle-related noncommunicable diseases and psychiatric disorders later in life. However, molecular mechanisms underlying this predisposition are not well understood. In our previous study, using rats as model animals, we showed behavioral impairments induced by prenatal undernutrition. identified solute carrier 22 family member 23 (Slc22a23) a gene is irreversibly upregulated rat brain undernutrition fetal development. Because substrate SLC22A23 transporter has yet been biological role Slc22a23 vivo fully understood, generated pan-Slc22a23 knockout examined their phenotype detail. The lean phenotype, an increase spontaneous locomotion, improved endurance, indicating they overweight even healthier ad libitum feeding environment. had reduced hippocampal volume, analysis suggested may have impaired cognitive function regarding novel objects.