CORTICOTROPIN RELEASING FACTOR RECEPTOR 2 DEFICIENT MICE ANDUSES THEREOF

摘要

The present invention provides transgenic mice deficient in corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2. CRFR2 mutant mice are hypersensitive to stress, and display increased anxiety-like behavior. Mutant mice had normal basal feeding and weight gain, but exhibited decreased food intake following food deprivation. Intravenous UCN has no effect on the mutant mice, but causes decreased arterial pressure in control animals. Deficiency in CRFR2 results in a significant increase in urocortin mRNA in the rostral region of the Edinge r Westphal, and a significant increase in CRF mRNA in the central nucleus of t he amygdala. These results demonstrate that CRFR2 mutant mice, as opposed to CRFR1 mutant mice, have an increased sensitivity to stress and display anxie ty- like behavior.