Behavioral Characteristics of Mice with Knockout of the IRR Alkali Sensor Gene

The tyrosine kinase receptor IRR (insulin receptor-related receptor) can be activated on alkalinization of the cell medium. IRR is detected in organs in contact with fluids with extreme pH values, as well as in certain central nervous system cells, where its role is unclear. We report here our analysis of the behavioral characteristics of mice with knockout of the IRR gene in a series of ethological tests. The control group included animals with the IRR gene from the same litters as knockout mice. In the social interest test, knockout animals showed a reduction in the number of social contacts. The forced swimming test revealed no statistically significant differences in the duration of immobility, though there were more animals showing longer periods of immobility among knockout mice. In the resident-intruder test, wild-type mice showed typical aggression levels, while seven of 16 knockout animals remained inert and, conversely, were attacked by the "stranger." These data provide evidence that deletion of the IRR gene leads to impairment of the aggressive-defensive behavior typical of the parental strain.

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