Growth retardation and altered autonomic control in mice lacking brain serotonin

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Growth retardation and altered autonomic control in mice lacking brain serotonin
Creators Name:	Alenina, N. and Kikic, D. and Todiras, M. and Mosienko, V. and Qadri, F. and Plehm, R. and Boye, P. and Vilianovitch, L. and Sohr, R. and Tenner, K. and Hoertnagl, H. and Bader, M.
Abstract:	Serotonin synthesis in mammals is initiated by 2 distinct tryptophan hydroxylases (TPH), TPH1 and TPH2. By genetically ablating TPH2, we created mice (Tph2(-/-)) that lack serotonin in the central nervous system. Surprisingly, these mice can be born and survive until adulthood. However, depletion of serotonin signaling in the brain leads to growth retardation and 50% lethality in the first 4 weeks of postnatal life. Telemetric monitoring revealed more extended daytime sleep, suppressed respiration, altered body temperature control, and decreased blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) during nighttime in Tph2(-/-) mice. Moreover, Tph2(-/-) females, despite being fertile and producing milk, exhibit impaired maternal care leading to poor survival of their pups. These data confirm that the majority of central serotonin is generated by TPH2. TPH2-derived serotonin is involved in the regulation of behavior and autonomic pathways but is not essential for adult life.
Keywords:	Growth Retardation, Maternal Care, Respiration, Serotonin, Sleep, Animals, Mice
Source:	Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
ISSN:	0027-8424
Publisher:	National Academy of Sciences
Volume:	106
Number:	25
Page Range:	10332-10337
Date:	23 June 2009
Additional Information:	Copyright (c) 2009 by The National Academy of Sciences
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0810793106
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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