TY - JOUR
T1 - GAL 3 receptor KO mice exhibit an anxietylike phenotype
AU - Brunner, Susanne M.
AU - Farzi, Aitak
AU - Locker, Felix
AU - Holub, Barbara S.
AU - Drexel, Meinrad
AU - Reichmann, Florian
AU - Lang, Andreas A.
AU - Mayr, Johannes A.
AU - Vilches, Jorge J.
AU - Navarro, Xavier
AU - Lang, Roland
AU - Sperk, Günther
AU - Holzer, Peter
AU - Kofler, Barbara
PY - 2014/5/13
Y1 - 2014/5/13
N2 - The neuropeptide galanin (GAL) is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is a modulator of various physiological and pathological processes, and it mediates its effects via three G protein-coupled receptors (GAL 1-3 receptors). A role for GAL as a modulator of mood and anxiety was suggested, because GAL and its receptors are highly expressed in limbic brain structures of rodents. In recent years, numerous studies of animal models have suggested an involvement of GAL and GAL1 and GAL2 receptors in anxiety-and depression-related behavior. However, to date, there is sparse literature implicating GAL3 receptors in behavioral functions. Therefore, we studied the behavior of GAL3 receptor-deficient (GAL 3- KO) mice to elucidate whether GAL3 receptors are involved in mediating behavior-associated actions of GAL. The GAL 3- KO mouse line exhibited normal breeding and physical development. In addition to behavioral tests, phenotypic characterization included analysis of hematology, amino acid profiles, metabolism, and sudomotor function. In contrast to WT littermates, male GAL 3- KO mice exhibited an anxietylike phenotype in the elevated plus maze, open field, and light/dark box tests, and they were less socially affiliated than WT animals to a stranger mouse in a social interaction test. In conclusion, our data suggest involvement of GAL3 receptors in GAL-mediated effects on mood, anxiety, and behavior, making it a possible target for alternative treatment strategies for mood disorders.
AB - The neuropeptide galanin (GAL) is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is a modulator of various physiological and pathological processes, and it mediates its effects via three G protein-coupled receptors (GAL 1-3 receptors). A role for GAL as a modulator of mood and anxiety was suggested, because GAL and its receptors are highly expressed in limbic brain structures of rodents. In recent years, numerous studies of animal models have suggested an involvement of GAL and GAL1 and GAL2 receptors in anxiety-and depression-related behavior. However, to date, there is sparse literature implicating GAL3 receptors in behavioral functions. Therefore, we studied the behavior of GAL3 receptor-deficient (GAL 3- KO) mice to elucidate whether GAL3 receptors are involved in mediating behavior-associated actions of GAL. The GAL 3- KO mouse line exhibited normal breeding and physical development. In addition to behavioral tests, phenotypic characterization included analysis of hematology, amino acid profiles, metabolism, and sudomotor function. In contrast to WT littermates, male GAL 3- KO mice exhibited an anxietylike phenotype in the elevated plus maze, open field, and light/dark box tests, and they were less socially affiliated than WT animals to a stranger mouse in a social interaction test. In conclusion, our data suggest involvement of GAL3 receptors in GAL-mediated effects on mood, anxiety, and behavior, making it a possible target for alternative treatment strategies for mood disorders.
KW - Galanin receptor
KW - Gcat variant 2
KW - Serotonin
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1318066111
DO - https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1318066111
M3 - Article
VL - 111
SP - 7138
EP - 7143
JO - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
JF - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
SN - 0027-8424
ER -