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Mice bearing a targeted mutation of nBmp2 display decreased memory capabilities
Author(s) -
Cordner Ryan Daniel,
Ventura Julia S.,
Blickenstaff Jacob W.,
Walther Curtis K.,
Mayo Jaime L.,
Felin Jenny E.,
Andreasen Brandalyn,
Wallace Nicholas B.,
Barrow Jeffrey R.,
Edwards Jeffrey G.,
Capecchi Mario R.,
Bridgewater Laura C.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.lb27
Subject(s) - neurogenesis , bone morphogenetic protein 2 , mutant , microbiology and biotechnology , wild type , neuroscience , long term potentiation , bone morphogenetic protein , biology , synaptic plasticity , osteoblast , hippocampal formation , endocrinology , genetics , in vitro , receptor , gene
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (Bmp2) is a growth factor involved in many important developmental processes including cartilage development, induction of osteoblast differentiation, and neurogenesis. Recently our lab discovered a nuclear form of Bmp2 (nBmp2). In an effort to determine the function of this nuclear variant, mice were generated which bear a targeted mutation that inactivates the nuclear localization of nBmp2 while still allowing the normal production of secreted Bmp2. Previous studies have shown that these mice have decreased muscle strength due to a calcium handling defect in the skeletal muscle. Our present study was intended to determine whether neurological function might also be affected by mutation of nBmp2. Age matched mutant and wild type mice were subjected to two different types of behavioral tests, the Morris water maze and the novel object recognition test. In both of these tests, the mutant mice displayed significantly impaired memory capabilities compared to the wild type mice. Synaptic plasticity of hippocampal slices is currently being tested by investigating long‐term potentiation in mutant and wild type mice. Our data suggest that in addition to intracellular calcium transport in muscle, nBmp2 also plays an important role in the processes of memory and learning, perhaps by affecting calcium transport in neural tissue. Supported by NIH grant AR48839.