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Vomeronasal Phenotype and Behavioral Alterations in G i2 Mutant Mice

E. Norlin,Fredrik Gussing,A. Berghard

Published 2003 in Unknown venue

ABSTRACT

lyzed for the expression of cell population-specific Several social and reproductive behaviors are under markers (Figures 1A–1B). This analysis revealed that the the influence of the vomeronasal (VN) organ; VN neuratio of apical compared to basal VN neurons appeared rons detect odorous molecules emitted by individuals lower in mutant mice. To attain a quantitative appreciaof the same species [1, 2]. There are two types of tion of this morphological observation, we measured VN neurons, and these differ in their expression of areas of the neuroepithelium on serial sections throughchemosensory receptors and G protein subunits. The out the VN organ and estimated the volumes. In order significance of this dichotomy is largely unknown. VN to differentiate between the neuronal populations, we neurons express high levels of either G i2 or G o. A used the apical VN marker phosphodiesterase type IVA mouse line carrying a targeted disruption of the G i2 (PDE4A). A significant 49.8% 4.4% reduction of the gene [3] offered the opportunity for studying the efapical VN population was evident in G i2 mutant mice fects of a lack of receptor signaling through the het(Figure 1C). The basal, G o-expressing population had erotrimeric Gi2 protein in one VN cell type. As a conseincreased 17% 9% compared to the control. quence of this deficiency, the number of VN neurons Next we addressed the phenotypic change in the tarthat normally express G i2 is decreased by half. These get region for the VN axons. The spatial segregation of residual neurons are defective in eliciting a response the VN neurons is maintained because axons of apical in their target neurons in the accessory olfactory bulb. VN neurons terminate in the anterior glomerular layer of Moreover, G i2 mutant mice show alterations in bethe AOB, whereas basal neurons make synaptic conhaviors for which an intact VN organ is known to be tacts with target neurons in the posterior part [13–17]. important. Display of maternal aggressive behavior is RNCAM/OCAM is expressed by apical VN neurons, and severely blunted, and male mice show significantly the protein localizes to axons and nerve termini [18]. less aggression toward an intruder. However, male Analysis of RNCAM expression in the AOB suggested mice show unaltered sexual-partner preference. This that the reduced apical VN population in G i2 mutant suggests that the two types of VN neurons may have mice retained the ability to project to the anterior glomerseparate functions in mediating behavioral changes ular layer (Figure 1D). The anterior part of the glomerular in response to chemosensory information. layer appeared to be reduced in the mutants, but there

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