Unc-51-like kinase 4 heterozygous mice display an anxiety-like behaviour profile and alterations in the GABAergic system within the amygdala
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1
National University of Ireland, Galway, Physiology, Ireland
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2
National University of Ireland, Galway, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, Ireland
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3
National University of Ireland Galway, Regenerative Medicine Institute, Ireland
Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) transmission within the amygdala is associated with emotional processing in anxiety disorders [1]. Recent evidence has demonstrated that unc-51-like kinase 4 (Ulk4) is expressed on GABAergic neurons and depletion of Ulk4 in vitro and in vivo results in compromised neuronal function [2]. We examined if heterozygous deletion of the Ulk4 gene in mice alters anxiety- or depressive-like behaviour, and GABAergic neuronal density and receptor subunit expression in the amygdala.
Female C57Bl/6N wildtype (WT) and Ulk4+/- mice were assessed for anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and marble burying test, depressive behaviour in the forced swim test (FST) and locomotor activity in the open field test. Animals were sacrificed and brains processed for glutamate decarboxylase (GAD67) immunohistochemical staining or PCR array analysis of GABA-related genes in the amygdala.
Ulk4+/- mice spent less time on the open arms of the EPM and buried more marbles in the marble burying test than WT animals. Time spent immobile in the FST and locomotor activity did not differ between groups. The density of GAD67+ neurons in the basolateral amygdala, and expression of GABAA receptor subunits (β1, δ, ε, ρ) and GABA transporter, GAT-3, in the amygdaloid tissue of Ulk4+/- mice were reduced when compared with WT counterparts.
These data indicate a possible reduction in GABAergic function within the amygdala of Ulk4+/- mice which may underlie the anxiety-related phenotype observed in these animals.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements: Funding received from SFI (RSF1135), NUI Galway (RSU002) and Molecular Medicine Ireland CTRSP.
References
1. Wittchen, H.U., et al., The size and burden of mental disorders and other disorders of the brain in Europe 2010. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol, 2011. 21(9): p. 655-79.
2. Lang, B., et al., Recurrent deletions of ULK4 in schizophrenia: a novel gene crucial for neuritogenesis and neuronal motility. J Cell Sci, 2013.
Keywords:
Anxiety Disorders,
Depression,
Amygdala,
GABAergic transmission,
GABAergic Neurons
Conference:
Neuroscience Ireland Young Neuroscientists Symposium 2014 , Dublin, Ireland, 20 Sep - 20 Sep, 2014.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Early Career Neuroscience
Citation:
Fitzgibbon
M,
Liu
M,
Bannon
J,
Shen
S and
Roche
M
(2014). Unc-51-like kinase 4 heterozygous mice display an anxiety-like behaviour profile and alterations in the GABAergic system within the amygdala.
Front. Neurosci.
Conference Abstract:
Neuroscience Ireland Young Neuroscientists Symposium 2014 .
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2014.87.00027
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Received:
15 Sep 2014;
Published Online:
15 Sep 2014.
*
Correspondence:
Ms. Marie Fitzgibbon, National University of Ireland, Galway, Physiology, Galway, Ireland, m.fitzgibbon2@nuigalway.ie