Journal
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
Volume 467, Issue 1, Pages 11-14Publisher
ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.09.051
Keywords
Ischemia; Metallothinein-3; Neuroprotection; Social interaction test; Prepulse inhibition
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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 MIT-3 knock-out (KO) mice. The duration of the MIT-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. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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