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Neuron-specific Sumo1-3 knockdown in mice impairs episodic and fear memories.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wang, L; Rodriguiz, RM; Wetsel, WC; Sheng, H; Zhao, S; Liu, X; Paschen, W; Yang, W
Published in: J Psychiatry Neurosci
July 2014

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests that small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation plays a key role in brain plasticity by modulating activity-dependent synaptic transmission. However, these observations are based largely on cell culture experiments. We hypothesized that episodic and fear memories would be affected by silencing SUMO1-3 expression. METHODS: To investigate the role of SUMO conjugation in neuronal functioning in vivo, we generated a novel Sumo transgenic mouse model in which a Thy1 promoter drives expression of 3 distinct microRNAs to silence Sumo1-3 expression, specifically in neurons. Wild-type and Sumo1-3 knockdown mice were subjected to a battery of behavioural tests to elucidate whether Sumoylation is involved in episodic and emotional memory. RESULTS: Expression of Sumo1-3 microRNAs and the corresponding silencing of Sumo expression were particularly pronounced in hippocampal, amygdala and layer V cerebral cortex neurons. The Sumo knockdown mice displayed anxiety-like responses and were impaired in episodic memory processes, contextual and cued fear conditioning and fear-potentiated startle. LIMITATIONS: Since expression of Sumo1-3 was silenced in this mouse model, we need to verify in future studies which of the SUMO paralogues play the pivotal role in episodic and emotional memory. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a functional SUMO conjugation pathway is essential for emotionality and cognition. This novel Sumo knockdown mouse model and the technology used in generating this mutant may help to reveal novel mechanisms that underlie a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions associated with anxiety and impairment of episodic and emotional memory.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Psychiatry Neurosci

DOI

EISSN

1488-2434

Publication Date

July 2014

Volume

39

Issue

4

Start / End Page

259 / 266

Location

Canada

Related Subject Headings

  • Reflex, Startle
  • Psychiatry
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Neurons
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice
  • Memory
  • Male
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Wang, L., Rodriguiz, R. M., Wetsel, W. C., Sheng, H., Zhao, S., Liu, X., … Yang, W. (2014). Neuron-specific Sumo1-3 knockdown in mice impairs episodic and fear memories. J Psychiatry Neurosci, 39(4), 259–266. https://doi.org/10.1503/jpn.130148
Wang, Liangli, Ramona M. Rodriguiz, William C. Wetsel, Huaxin Sheng, Shengli Zhao, Xiaozhi Liu, Wulf Paschen, and Wei Yang. “Neuron-specific Sumo1-3 knockdown in mice impairs episodic and fear memories.J Psychiatry Neurosci 39, no. 4 (July 2014): 259–66. https://doi.org/10.1503/jpn.130148.
Wang L, Rodriguiz RM, Wetsel WC, Sheng H, Zhao S, Liu X, et al. Neuron-specific Sumo1-3 knockdown in mice impairs episodic and fear memories. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2014 Jul;39(4):259–66.
Wang, Liangli, et al. “Neuron-specific Sumo1-3 knockdown in mice impairs episodic and fear memories.J Psychiatry Neurosci, vol. 39, no. 4, July 2014, pp. 259–66. Pubmed, doi:10.1503/jpn.130148.
Wang L, Rodriguiz RM, Wetsel WC, Sheng H, Zhao S, Liu X, Paschen W, Yang W. Neuron-specific Sumo1-3 knockdown in mice impairs episodic and fear memories. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2014 Jul;39(4):259–266.

Published In

J Psychiatry Neurosci

DOI

EISSN

1488-2434

Publication Date

July 2014

Volume

39

Issue

4

Start / End Page

259 / 266

Location

Canada

Related Subject Headings

  • Reflex, Startle
  • Psychiatry
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Neurons
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice
  • Memory
  • Male