Honors Theses

Assessing the Behavioral Effects of Conditional SERCA2 Deletion in Central GABAergic Neurons

Advisor

Pothitos M. Pitychoutis, Ph.D.

Department

Biology

Publication Date

4-1-2024

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

Calcium ions (Ca2+) are critical second messengers that regulate a variety of important processes including muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, and synaptic plasticity. Indeed, dysfunction of Ca2+ homeostasis in the brain has been implicated in the pathophysiology of both neurodegenerative disorders (i.e., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases) and also neurodevelopmental disorders (i.e., autism- spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia). The sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ATPase (SERCA2) is a protein responsible for maintaining intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis by sequestering Ca2+ ions into the endoplasmic reticulum. In this study, we used a mouse model to investigate the behavioral implications of the conditional deletion of SERCA2 in the brain’s GABAergic neurons. Specifically, we employed a robust behavioral test battery to assess motor activity, spatial working memory, anxiety, and depressive-like behavior in male and female C57BL/6J mice. In the context of this honors thesis, we provide evidence that furthers our understanding of SERCA2’s function in the brain’s GABAergic neurons.

Permission Statement

This item is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and may only be used for noncommercial, educational, and scholarly purposes.

Keywords

Undergraduate research

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