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Open Access 01-12-2009 | Article

Deficient NRG1-ERBB signaling alters social approach: relevance to genetic mouse models of schizophrenia

Authors: Sheryl S. Moy, H. Troy Ghashghaei, Randal J. Nonneman, Jill M. Weimer, Yukako Yokota, Daekee Lee, Cary Lai, David W. Threadgill, E. S. Anton

Published in: Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders | Issue 4/2009

Abstract

Growth factor Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) plays an essential role in development and organization of the cerebral cortex. NRG1 and its receptors, ERBB3 and ERBB4, have been implicated in genetic susceptibility for schizophrenia. Disease symptoms include asociality and altered social interaction. To investigate the role of NRG1-ERBB signaling in social behavior, mice heterozygous for an Nrg1 null allele (Nrg1+/−), and mice with conditional ablation of Erbb3 or Erbb4 in the central nervous system, were evaluated for sociability and social novelty preference in a three-chambered choice task. Results showed that deficiencies in NRG1 or ERBB3 significantly enhanced sociability. All of the mutant groups demonstrated a lack of social novelty preference, in contrast to their respective wild-type controls. Effects of NRG1, ERBB3, or ERBB4 deficiency on social behavior could not be attributed to general changes in anxiety-like behavior, activity, or loss of olfactory ability. Nrg1+/− pups did not exhibit changes in isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations, a measure of emotional reactivity. Overall, these findings provide evidence that social behavior is mediated by NRG1-ERBB signaling.

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Title: Deficient NRG1-ERBB signaling alters social approach: relevance to genetic mouse models of schizophrenia
Authors: Sheryl S. Moy
H. Troy Ghashghaei
Randal J. Nonneman
Jill M. Weimer
Yukako Yokota
Daekee Lee
Cary Lai
David W. Threadgill
E. S. Anton
Publication date: 01-12-2009
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Issue 4/2009
Print ISSN: 1866-1947
Electronic ISSN: 1866-1955
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11689-009-9017-8

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Deficient NRG1-ERBB signaling alters social approach: relevance to genetic mouse models of schizophrenia

Abstract

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Abstract

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