Genetic disruption of dopamine β-hydroxylase dysregulates innate responses to predator odor in mice.

In rodents, exposure to predator odors such as cat urine acts as a severe stressor that engages innate defensive behaviors critical for survival in the wild. The neurotransmitters norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) modulate anxiety and predator odor responses, and we have shown previously that dopamine β-hydroxylase knockout (, which reduces NE and increases DA in mouse noradrenergic neurons, disrupts innate behaviors in response to mild stressors such as novelty. We examined the consequences of knockout on responses to predator odor (bobcat urine) and compared them to Dbh-competent littermate controls.

Genetic disruption of dopamine β-hydroxylase dysregulates innate responses to predator odor in mice.

In rodents, exposure to predator odors such as cat urine acts as a severe stressor that engages innate defensive behaviors critical for survival in the wild. The neurotransmitters norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) modulate anxiety and predator odor responses, and we have shown previously that dopamine β-hydroxylase knockout ( -/-), which reduces NE and increases DA in mouse noradrenergic neurons, disrupts innate behaviors in response to mild stressors such as novelty. We examined the consequences of knockout ( -/-) on responses to predator odor (bobcat urine) and compared them to Dbh-competent littermate controls.

RGS14 limits seizure-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress and pathology in hippocampus.

RGS14 is a complex multifunctional scaffolding protein that is highly enriched within pyramidal cells (PCs) of hippocampal area CA2. In these neurons, RGS14 suppresses glutamate-induced calcium influx and related G protein and ERK signaling in dendritic spines to restrain postsynaptic signaling and plasticity. Previous findings show that, unlike PCs of hippocampal areas CA1 and CA3, CA2 PCs are resistant to a number of neurological insults, including degeneration caused by temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

RGS14 is neuroprotective against seizure-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress and pathology in hippocampus.

RGS14 is a complex multifunctional scaffolding protein that is highly enriched within pyramidal cells (PCs) of hippocampal area CA2. There, RGS14 suppresses glutamate-induced calcium influx and related G protein and ERK signaling in dendritic spines to restrain postsynaptic signaling and plasticity. Previous findings show that, unlike PCs of hippocampal areas CA1 and CA3, CA2 PCs are resistant to a number of neurological insults, including degeneration caused by temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).