VMAT2 heterozygous mouse line as a model of brain dysfunction associated with behavioral deficits

Technology

Duke inventors have developed a novel mouse model that is heterozygous for vesicular monoamine transport 2 (VMAT2), a protein located in the central nervous system that transports monoamines such as dopamine and serotonin from the cytosol into vesicles to be released in the synaptic space. Inhibition of VMAT2 prevents the release of these monoamines, leading to behavioral illnesses. These heterozygous mice for VMAT2 displayed depressive symtoms, demonstrating use as a model to develop treatments for behavioral illnesses such as depression.