Behavioral Characterization of GCLM-Knockout Mice, a Model for Enhanced Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress

Glutathione (GSH) is a major player in cellular defense against oxidative stress. Deletion of the modifier subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLM), the first and the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of GSH, leads to significantly lower GSH levels in all tissues including the brain. GCLM-kno...

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Main Authors: Toby B. Cole, Gennaro Giordano, Aila L. Co, Isaac Mohar, Terrance J. Kavanagh, Lucio G. Costa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2011-01-01
Series:Journal of Toxicology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/157687
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author Toby B. Cole
Gennaro Giordano
Aila L. Co
Isaac Mohar
Terrance J. Kavanagh
Lucio G. Costa
author_facet Toby B. Cole
Gennaro Giordano
Aila L. Co
Isaac Mohar
Terrance J. Kavanagh
Lucio G. Costa
author_sort Toby B. Cole
collection DOAJ
description Glutathione (GSH) is a major player in cellular defense against oxidative stress. Deletion of the modifier subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLM), the first and the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of GSH, leads to significantly lower GSH levels in all tissues including the brain. GCLM-knockout (Gclm−/−) mice may thus represent a model for compromised response to oxidative stress amenable to in vitro and in vivo investigations. In order to determine whether the diminished GSH content would by itself cause behavioral alterations, a series of behavioral tests were carried out comparing young adult Gclm−/− with wild-type mice. Tests included the rotarod, acoustic startle reflex and prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex, open field behavior, and the platform reversal variant of the Morris Water Maze. Results showed no differences between Gclm−/− and wild-type mice in any of the neurobehavioral tests. However, more subtle alterations, or changes which may appear as animals age, cannot be excluded.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-e51606aff8ff457d990cc4c001ff62162025-08-20T03:26:20ZengWileyJournal of Toxicology1687-81911687-82052011-01-01201110.1155/2011/157687157687Behavioral Characterization of GCLM-Knockout Mice, a Model for Enhanced Susceptibility to Oxidative StressToby B. Cole0Gennaro Giordano1Aila L. Co2Isaac Mohar3Terrance J. Kavanagh4Lucio G. Costa5Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USADepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USADivision of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USADepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USADepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USADepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USAGlutathione (GSH) is a major player in cellular defense against oxidative stress. Deletion of the modifier subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLM), the first and the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of GSH, leads to significantly lower GSH levels in all tissues including the brain. GCLM-knockout (Gclm−/−) mice may thus represent a model for compromised response to oxidative stress amenable to in vitro and in vivo investigations. In order to determine whether the diminished GSH content would by itself cause behavioral alterations, a series of behavioral tests were carried out comparing young adult Gclm−/− with wild-type mice. Tests included the rotarod, acoustic startle reflex and prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex, open field behavior, and the platform reversal variant of the Morris Water Maze. Results showed no differences between Gclm−/− and wild-type mice in any of the neurobehavioral tests. However, more subtle alterations, or changes which may appear as animals age, cannot be excluded.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/157687
spellingShingle Toby B. Cole
Gennaro Giordano
Aila L. Co
Isaac Mohar
Terrance J. Kavanagh
Lucio G. Costa
Behavioral Characterization of GCLM-Knockout Mice, a Model for Enhanced Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress
Journal of Toxicology
title Behavioral Characterization of GCLM-Knockout Mice, a Model for Enhanced Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress
title_full Behavioral Characterization of GCLM-Knockout Mice, a Model for Enhanced Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress
title_fullStr Behavioral Characterization of GCLM-Knockout Mice, a Model for Enhanced Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress
title_full_unstemmed Behavioral Characterization of GCLM-Knockout Mice, a Model for Enhanced Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress
title_short Behavioral Characterization of GCLM-Knockout Mice, a Model for Enhanced Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress
title_sort behavioral characterization of gclm knockout mice a model for enhanced susceptibility to oxidative stress
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/157687
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