Double KO of PTEN/Raptor genes in dentate gyrus granule cells rescues PTEN KO associated dendritic overgrowth but not spatial memory deficits: and implications
Conference Year
2023
Abstract
Childhood mutation of the Pten gene results in macrocephaly, epilepsy, and cognitive deficits on the Autistic Spectrum. A recent study showed knockout (KO) of this gene in hippocampal granule cells exhibited difficulties in reconciling new information. We studied a genetic rescue of this phenotype through double KO (dKO) of Pten and Raptor genes in the mTOR pathway. We hypothesized correcting Pten KO associated dendritic overgrowth will rescue spatial cognitive deficits. Pten/Ratpor dKO exhibited a higher spatial accuracy dropout rate in visible sessions. dKO mice performed poorer than controls in hidden sessions and showed thigmotaxic behavior, additionally shown when the arena floor was cleaned, suggesting putative neophobia.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Jeremy Barry
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Second Student College
Patrick Leahy Honors College
Program/Major
Neuroscience
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Double KO of PTEN/Raptor genes in dentate gyrus granule cells rescues PTEN KO associated dendritic overgrowth but not spatial memory deficits: and implications
Childhood mutation of the Pten gene results in macrocephaly, epilepsy, and cognitive deficits on the Autistic Spectrum. A recent study showed knockout (KO) of this gene in hippocampal granule cells exhibited difficulties in reconciling new information. We studied a genetic rescue of this phenotype through double KO (dKO) of Pten and Raptor genes in the mTOR pathway. We hypothesized correcting Pten KO associated dendritic overgrowth will rescue spatial cognitive deficits. Pten/Ratpor dKO exhibited a higher spatial accuracy dropout rate in visible sessions. dKO mice performed poorer than controls in hidden sessions and showed thigmotaxic behavior, additionally shown when the arena floor was cleaned, suggesting putative neophobia.