Unexpected Changes of Social Behaviors in Mammals Discovered with CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing

Georgia State University recently demonstrated a new gene-editing function that configures the hormone of animals. Through this novel approach, the social abilities of a subject would change dramatically when exposed to certain environments.

The gene-editing research was carried out with the help of hamster subjects. The findings from the research presented more insights into the complex association between biology over social behaviors and neuroscience.

CRISPR-Cas9 Configures Neuroscience Behind Social Behavior of Animals

The study was led by Georgia's Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience specialists Elliott Albers and Kim Huhman. The investigation was based on using the CRISPR-Cas9 technology to halt the activities processed throughout the chemical signaling pathways.

The method was intended to control one of the most critical functions in the brain that is responsible for the regulation of social behaviors in most mammalian species.

The vasopressin hormone and the Avpr1a receptor were the interest of the examination, as the couple is known to play an essential role in a range of common social behaviors such as cooperation, bonding, communication, dominance, and even aggression.

The paper found that 'switching off' of the Avpr1a receptor in hamsters, which also pushes the vasopressin hormone to pause its functions, resulted in an alteration of social expressions that ranged to various behaviors.

Albers explained that the outcome is surprising, as the team initially anticipated that eliminating the vasopressin activity would greatly reduce the aggression and social communication of the subjects. However, the opposite of this scenario occurred.

In an unexpected turn, the hamster subjects demonstrated a higher level of social communication behaviors when the receptors were depleted compared to the control group that had intact receptors, Science Daily reports.

Moreover, the typical sex differences that have a corresponding influence on the aggressiveness of the subjects were also eliminated in both male and female hamsters, especially those hostile towards members of the same sex.

Hormone and Receptor for Social Functions in Syrian Hamsters

Albers said that even though the vasopressin hormone is known to influence multiplier brain regions and is responsible for social behaviors, it is likely that the Avpr1a receptor has global effects that are inhibitory, Metro reports.

The findings contrast what we first thought about how this neurological function works, but the information the team collected shows that there are possibly other receptor-related actions that we might observe in the entire circuits across the brain and not just the specific regions we know Albers continued.

The CRISPR-Cas9 experiment included the species of Syrian hamsters. These animals show transparent behaviors that are becoming more utilized in many studies regarding social communication, behaviors, and aggression.

The Syrian hamsters were the first animals to have been discovered with the active function of the vasopressin hormone in relation to social influence. Today, the involvement of hamsters in laboratory studies is increasing as they display more features than what scientists could get from the typical mice subjects.

Huhman said that the response of hamsters is much closer to humans than to other rodent species. These animals get cancer and release the stress hormone cortisol, as humans do. They were also a significant part of the studies for solutions against SARS-CoV-2, as they also have similar vulnerabilities to COVID-19 infections like us.

The study was published in the journal PNAS, titled "CRISPR-Cas9 editing of the arginine-vasopressin V1a receptor produces paradoxical changes in social behavior in Syrian hamsters."

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