Epigenetic sources of behavioral differences in mice (original) (raw)

Nature Neuroscience volume 6, pages 445–446 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Inbred mouse strains are classically used to search for the genes associated with behavioral traits, including emotionality. To distinguish genetic and environmental contributions to the expression of adult behavior in mice, we investigated the effects of prenatal (embryo transfer) and postnatal (cross-fostering) environments in two strains of inbred mice with profound and reliable differences in behavior1. Here we report that strain-related behavioral differences may result from environmental factors during development rather than genetic differences between the offspring.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 12 print issues and online access

$209.00 per year

only $17.42 per issue

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

Figure 1: Open-field, elevated-plus maze, water-maze learning and pre-pulse inhibition behavior.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bucan, M. & Abel, T. Nat. Rev. Genet. 3, 114–123 (2002).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  2. Crabbe, J.C., Wahlsten, D. & Dudek, B.C. Science 284, 1670–1672 (1999).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  3. Dulawa, S.C. & Geyer, M.A. Neuropharmacology 39, 2170–2179 (2000).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  4. Paylor, R. & Crawley, J.N. Psychopharmacology 132, 169–180 (1997).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  5. DeFries, J.C., Thomas, E.A., Hegmann, J.P. & Weir, M.W. Psychon. Sci. 8, 207–208 (1967).
    Article Google Scholar
  6. Carlier, M., Roubertoux, P. & Cohen-Salmon, C. Physiol. Behav. 30, 837–844 (1983).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  7. Rhees, B.K., Ernst, C.A., Miao, C.H. & Atchley, W.R. Genetics 153, 905–917 (1999).
    CAS PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
  8. Le Roy, I., Carlier, M. & Roubertoux, P.L. Behav. Brain Res. 125, 57–64 (2001).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  9. Brown, R.E., Mathieson, W.B., Stapleton, J. & Neumann, P.E. Physiol. Behav. 67, 599–605 (1999).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  10. Zaharia, M.D., Kulczycki, J., Shanks, N., Meaney, M.J. & Anisman, H. Psychopharmacology 128, 227–239 (1996).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  11. Liu, D. et al. Science 277, 1659–1662 (1997).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  12. Liu, D., Diorio, J., Day, J.C., Francis, D.D. & Meaney, M.J. Nat. Neurosci. 3, 799–806 (2000).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  13. Francis, D., Diorio, J., Liu, D. & Meaney, M.J. Science 286, 1155–1158 (1999).
    Article CAS Google Scholar

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank T. Etzel for assistance with animal care, and Cure Autism Now and the National Science Foundation IBN 9876754 for support.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Thomas R. Insel
    Present address: NIMH, 6001 Executive Blvd. Room 8235, MSC 9669, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Emory University, Yerkes Research Center, 954 Gatewood Rd., Atlanta, 30329, Georgia, USA
    Darlene D. Francis, Kathleen Szegda & Thomas R. Insel
  2. Transgenic Mouse Core, Emory University School of Medicine, Whitehead Research Building, Atlanta, 30329, Georgia, USA
    Gregory Campbell & W. David Martin
  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, 30329, Georgia, USA
    Thomas R. Insel

Authors

  1. Darlene D. Francis
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. Kathleen Szegda
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  3. Gregory Campbell
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  4. W. David Martin
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  5. Thomas R. Insel
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence toThomas R. Insel.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Supplementary information

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Francis, D., Szegda, K., Campbell, G. et al. Epigenetic sources of behavioral differences in mice.Nat Neurosci 6, 445–446 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1038

Download citation

Associated content