Molecular Analysis of Skeletal Muscle in Negr1-Deficient Mice

Abstract

NEGR1 (neuronal growth regulator 1) is a cell adhesion molecule belonging to the IgLON family. NEGR1 has been mainly studied in the central nervous system. However, previous studies have also linked Negr1 to skeletal muscle regulation. The aim of this thesis was to quantify and compare genotype-dependent and sex-specific differences in the mRNA expression of Myh7, Tpm1, Tnnc2, Tnnt3, Acta1, Ttn, Cox1, Cox2, and Pvalb in the skeletal muscle of Negr1−/− and wild-type mice. Genotype-dependent differences were observed mainly in male Negr1−/− mice, where Cox1 and Myh7 were downregulated, and Tnnt3 was upregulated compared with wild-type mice. In female Negr1−/− mice, Myh7 was upregulated. These findings suggest that Negr1 deficiency may be associated with altered expression of skeletal muscle-related genes, with males appearing more susceptible to those changes.