Knockout of the circadian gene, Per2, disrupts corticosterone secretion and results in depressive‐like behaviors and deficits in startle responses
Abstract
The Period Circadian Regulator 2 (Per2) gene is important for the modulation of circadian rhythms that influence biological processes. Circadian control of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is critical for regulation of hormones involved in the stress response. Dysregulation of the HPA axis is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Therefore, it is important to understand how disruption of the circadian rhythm alters the HPA axis. One way to address this question is to delete a gene involved in regulating a central circadian gene such asPer2in an animal model and to determine how this deletion may affect the HPA axis and behaviors that are altered when the HPA axis is dysregulated. To study this, corticosterone (CORT) levels were measured through the transition from light (inactive phase) to dark (active phase). Additionally, CORT levels as well as pituitary and adrenal mRNA expression were measured following a mild restraint stress. Mice were tested for depressive-like behaviors (forced swim test (FST)), acoustic startle response (ASR), and pre-pulse inhibition (PPI).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 28, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1186/s12868-020-00607-y
Entities
People
- Ashley L Russell
- Hannah Yi
- Lauren Miller
- Rita Keil
- Robert J. Handa
- Tao-yiao John Wu
Organizations
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine
- Office of Naval Research