Comprehensive behavioral analysis of RNG105 (Caprin1) heterozygous mice: Reduced social interaction and attenuated response to novelty

Sci Rep. 2016 Feb 11:6:20775. doi: 10.1038/srep20775.

Abstract

RNG105 (also known as Caprin1) is a major RNA-binding protein in neuronal RNA granules, and is responsible for mRNA transport to dendrites and neuronal network formation. A recent study reported that a heterozygous mutation in the Rng105 gene was found in an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patient, but it remains unclear whether there is a causal relation between RNG105 deficiency and ASD. Here, we subjected Rng105(+/-) mice to a comprehensive behavioral test battery, and revealed the influence of RNG105 deficiency on mouse behavior. Rng105(+/-) mice exhibited a reduced sociality in a home cage and a weak preference for social novelty. Consistently, the Rng105(+/-) mice also showed a weak preference for novel objects and novel place patterns. Furthermore, although the Rng105(+/-) mice exhibited normal memory acquisition, they tended to have relative difficulty in reversal learning in the spatial reference tasks. These findings suggest that the RNG105 heterozygous knockout leads to a reduction in sociality, response to novelty and flexibility in learning, which are implicated in ASD-like behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apathy
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / genetics
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / pathology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology*
  • Behavior, Animal*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / deficiency
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics*
  • Cerebellum / metabolism
  • Cerebellum / pathology
  • Cerebrum / metabolism
  • Cerebrum / pathology
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / metabolism
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / ultrastructure
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression
  • Heterozygote*
  • Humans
  • Maze Learning
  • Memory
  • Mice
  • Motor Activity
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Net / metabolism
  • Nerve Net / pathology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / pathology
  • RNA Transport
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Social Isolation / psychology*
  • Task Performance and Analysis

Substances

  • Caprin1 protein, mouse
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger