Reduced rate of neural differentiation in the dentate gyrus of adult dysbindin null (sandy) mouse

PLoS One. 2011 Jan 18;6(1):e15886. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015886.

Abstract

Genetic variations in the gene encoding dysbindin has consistently been associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, although little is known about the neural functions carried out by dysbindin. To gain some insight into this area, we took advantage of the readily available dysbindin-null mouse sandy (sdy-/-) and studied hippocampal neurogenesis using thymidine analogue bromodeoxuridine (BrdU). No significant differences were found in the proliferation (4 hours) or survival (1, 4 and 8 weeks after the last BrdU injection) of progenitors in the subgranular regions of the dentate gyrus between sdy-/- and sdy+/+ (control) mice. However, 4 weeks after the last BrdU injection, a significant reduction was observed in the ratio of neuronal differentiation in sdy-/- when compared to that of sdy+/+ (sdy+/+ = 87.0 ± 5.3% vs. sdy-/- = 71.3 ± 8.3%, p = 0.01). These findings suggest that dysbindin plays a role during differentiation process in the adult hippocampal neurogenesis and that its deficit may negatively affect neurogenesis-related functions such as cognition and mood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Dentate Gyrus / cytology*
  • Dysbindin
  • Dystrophin-Associated Proteins
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Neurogenesis
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Dtnbp1 protein, mouse
  • Dysbindin
  • Dystrophin-Associated Proteins