PNMT Transgenic Mice Have an Aggressive Phenotype

D. B. Sørensen; P. F. Johnsen; B. M. Bibby; A. Böttner; S. R. Bornstein; G. Eisenhofer; K. Pacak; A. K. Hansen

doi:10.1055/s-2005-861301

Hormone and Metabolic Research, Table of Contents

Horm Metab Res 2005; 37(3): 159-163
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-861301

Original Clinical

PNMT Transgenic Mice Have an Aggressive Phenotype

D. B. Sørensen¹ , P. F. Johnsen¹ , B. M. Bibby² , A. Böttner³ , S. R. Bornstein⁴ , G. Eisenhofer⁵ , K. Pacak⁶ , A. K. Hansen¹

¹The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University of Copenhagen, Division of Laboratory Animal Science and Welfare, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Frederiksberg, Denmark
²The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University of Copenhagen, Department of Mathematics and Physics, Frederiksberg, Denmark
³University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Germany
⁴University of Dresden Department of Medicine III, Dresden, Germany
⁵Clinical Neurocardiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
⁶Pediatric and Reproductive Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Abstract

PNMT (phenylethanolamine-N-methyl-transferase) is the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of epinephrine from norepinephrine. In transgenic mice over-expressing PNMT, observations revealed a very high level of aggression compared to their background strain, C57BL/6J. To evaluate the influence of PNMT on aggression and emotionality in this transgenic line, single-sex male and female groups were independently established that consisted of either four wild-type mice or four transgenic mice overexpressing PNMT. The members of each group were littermates. Mixed single-sex groups consisting of two transgenic mice and two wild-type mice were also established. Almost no fights were observed within the female groups. In males, the transgenic line showed a significantly higher level of fighting than controls (p = 0.007) and mixed male groups (p = 0.02). Housing mice from the transgenic line in mixed groups with wild-type mice seems to decrease the level of aggression in the transgenic line. In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate a clear, significant increase in aggression arising from PNMT overexpression. This suggests an important role for central epinephrine levels in aggressive behavior.

Keywords

Epinephrine - Mice - Open field - Behavior - C57Bl/6

Full Text

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Dorte Bratbo Sørensen

The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University of Copenhagen · Division of Laboratory Animal Science and Welfare · Department of Veterinary Pathobiology

Groennegaardsvej 15 · 1870 Frederiksberg C · Denmark

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