How Visual Experience Affects Gene Expression in Mouse Brain
Author Information
Author(s): Marie-Claude Bélanger, Graziella Di Cristo
Primary Institution: CHU Sainte-Justine and Université de Montréal
Hypothesis
Sensory experience regulates the expression of ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV in the postnatal mouse visual cortex.
Conclusion
The study found that sensory experience specifically regulates the expression of ST8SiaII, which in turn affects polysialic acid levels in the visual cortex.
Supporting Evidence
- ST8SiaII mRNA levels were significantly higher in binocularly deprived mice compared to controls.
- Neuronal activity levels were shown to regulate ST8SiaII expression in vitro.
- PKC-mediated signaling positively regulates both ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV mRNA levels.
Takeaway
This study shows that what you see can change how certain genes work in the brain, helping to shape how we learn and remember things.
Methodology
The researchers used quantitative real-time PCR to measure mRNA levels of ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV in mouse visual cortex and organotypic cultures.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on two polysialyltransferases and may not account for other factors influencing gene expression.
Participant Demographics
Postnatal mice, specifically C57BL/6 strain.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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