The imprinted lncRNA Peg13 regulates sexual preference and the sex-specific brain transcriptome in mice.

ABSTRACT: Mammalian genomes include many maternally and paternally imprinted genes. Most of these are also expressed in the brain, and several have been implicated in regulating specific behavioral traits. Here, we have used a knockout approach to study the function of Peg13, a gene that codes for a fast-evolving lncRNA (long noncoding RNA) and is part of a complex of imprinted genes on chromosome 15 in mice and chromosome 8 in humans. Mice lacking the 3' half of the transcript look morphologically wild-type but show distinct behavioral differences. They lose interest in the opposite sex, instead displaying a preference for wild-type animals of the same sex. Further, they show a higher level of anxiety, lowered activity and curiosity, and a deficiency in pup retrieval behavior. Brain RNA expr

SUBMITTER: Keshavarz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7958240 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature