References
Query Results -- Details
MGI Accession ID: MGI:2388957
J Number: J:79806
Other Accession IDs:
Title: Decreased anxiety-like behavior, reduced stress hormones, and neurosteroid supersensitivity in mice lacking protein kinase Cepsilon.
Authors: Hodge CW; Raber J; McMahon T; Walter H; Sanchez-Perez AM; Olive MF; Mehmert K; Morrow AL; Messing RO
Journal: J Clin Invest
Volume: 110
Issue: 7
Date: 2002 Oct
Year: 2002
Pages: 1003-10
Review Status: Peer Reviewed
Abstract:
Mice lacking protein kinase Cepsilon (PKCepsilon) are supersensitive to positive allosteric modulators of gamma aminobutyrate type A (GABA(A)) receptors. Since many of these compounds are anxiolytic, we examined whether anxiety-like behavior is altered in these mice. PKCepsilon-null mice showed reduced anxiety-like behavior and reduced levels of the stress hormones corticosterone and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). This was associated with increased sensitivity to neurosteroid modulators of GABA(A) receptors. Treatment of PKCepsilon-null mice with the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline restored corticosterone levels and anxiety-like behavior to wild-type levels. These results suggest that increased GABA(A) receptor sensitivity to neurosteroids contributes to reduced anxiety-like behavior and stress hormone responses in PKCepsilon-null mice. The findings also suggest PKCepsilon as a possible therapeutic target for development of anxiolytics.
Additional Information:
