Pet-1 ETS gene plays a critical role in 5-HT neuron development and is required for normal anxiety-like and aggressive behavior

Timothy J. Hendricks, Dmitry V. Fyodorov, Lauren J. Wegman, Nadia B. Lelutiu, Elizabeth A. Pehek, Bryan Yamamoto, Jerry Silver, Edwin J. Weeber, J. David Sweatt, Evan S. Deneris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

405 Scopus citations

Abstract

The central serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmitter system is an important modulator of diverse physiological processes and behaviors; however, the transcriptional mechanisms controlling its development are largely unknown. The Pet-1 ETS factor is a precise marker of developing and adult 5-HT neurons and is expressed shortly before 5-HT appears in the hindbrain. Here we show that in mice lacking Pet-1, the majority of 5-HT neurons fail to differentiate. Remaining ones show deficient expression of genes required for 5-HT synthesis, uptake, and storage. Significantly, defective development of the 5-HT system is followed by heightened anxiety-like and aggressive behavior in adults. These findings indicate that Pet-1 is a critical determinant of 5-HT neuron identity and implicate a Pet-1-dependent program in serotonergic modulation of behavior.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)233-247
Number of pages15
JournalNeuron
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 23 2003
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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