Fertan_2020_Genes.Brain.Behav__e12696

The membrane-associated mucin (MAM) domain containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor 2 protein single knock-out mice (MDGA2(+/-) ) are models of ASD. We examined the behavioural phenotypes of male and female MDGA2(+/-) and wildtype mice on C57BL6/NJ and C57BL6/N backgrounds at 2 months of age and measured MDGA2, neuroligin 1 and neuroligin 2 levels at 7 months. Mice on the C57BL6/NJ background performed better than those on the C57BL6/N background in visual ability and in learning and memory performance in the Morris water maze and differed in measures of motor behavior and anxiety. Mice with the MDGA2(+/-) genotype differed from WT mice in motor, social and repetitive behaviour and anxiety, but most of these effects involved interactions between MDGA2(+/-) genotype and background strain. The background strain also influenced MDGA2 levels and NLGN2 association in MDGA2(+/-) mice. Our findings emphasize the importance of the background strain used in studies of genetically modified mice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.