Mood disorders are a severe health burden but molecular mechanisms underlying mood dysfunction remain poorly understood. Here, we show that wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) negatively responds to the stress-induced negative mood-related behaviors. Specifically, we show that Wip1 protein but not its mRNA level was downregulated in the hippocampus but not in the neocortex after 4 weeks of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in mice. ⋯ In addition, Wip1 knockout mice displayed decreased exploratory behaviors as well as increased anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors in mice without impaired motor activities under the non-CUMS condition. Furthermore, the Wip1 deficiency-responsive anxiety-like but not depression-like behaviors were further elevated in mice under CUMS. Although limitations like male-alone sampling and multiply behavioral testing exist, the present study suggests a potential protective function of Wip1 in mood stabilization.
C S Ruan, F H Zhou, Z Y He, S F Wang, C R Yang, Y J Shen, Y Guo, H B Zhao, L Chen, D Liu, J Liu, B T Baune, Z C Xiao, and X F Zhou.
Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, PR China; School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Division ... more of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. Electronic address: chunsheng.ruan@mymail.unisa.edu.au. less