| First Author | Koumura A | Year | 2009 |
| Journal | Neurosci Lett | Volume | 467 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 11-4 |
| PubMed ID | 19799968 | Mgi Jnum | J:155477 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:4414594 | Doi | 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.09.051 |
| Citation | Koumura A, et al. (2009) Metallothionein-3 deficient mice exhibit abnormalities of psychological behaviors. Neurosci Lett 467(1):11-4 |
| abstractText | Metallothioneins (MTs) are metal binding proteins and have four isoforms. MT-3, known as growth inhibitory factor (GIF), exists mainly in the central nervous system. It regulates zinc levels and exhibits a neuroprotective effect in the various types of brain diseases. However, the reports demonstrate that the relation between MT-3 and psychiatric disorder is still unknown. In the present study, the authors carried out behavioral tests on MT-3 knock-out (KO) mice. The duration of the MT-3 KO mice's social interactions were significantly shorter than that of the wild-type (WT) mice. The acoustic startle response of the MT-3 KO mice showed diminished prepulse inhibition (PPI) at all prepulse intensities. However, the locomotor activity tests of the MT-3 KO mice displayed normal circadian rhythm, activity, and habituation to a novel environment. In the novel object recognition test, the MT-3 KO mice exhibited normal memory. These findings indicate that abnormalities of psychological behavior were observed in the MT-3 KO mice. Further experiments will be needed to clarify the involvement of MT-3 in higher brain function. |
