Altered psychomotor behaviors in mice lacking pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP).

ABSTRACT: Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been conserved remarkably during evolution and is widely expressed in the mammalian brain. In Drosophila, mutation of the PACAP homologue results in behavioral defects, including impaired olfaction-associated learning and changes in ethanol sensitivity. Here, we report the generation of mice lacking the PACAP gene (PACAP(-/-)). PACAP(-/-) mice were born in the expected Mendelian ratios but had a high early-mortality rate. The surviving adult PACAP(-/-) mice displayed remarkable behavioral changes; they exhibited hyperactive and explosive jumping behaviors in an open field, increased exploratory behavior, and less anxiety in the elevated plus maze, emergence, and novel-object tests. Analysis of PACAP(-/-) mice brains revealed th

SUBMITTER: Hashimoto H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC60875 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature