Involvement of sst2 somatostatin receptor in locomotor, exploratory activity and emotional reactivity in mice

Somatostatin (SRIF) controls many physiological and pathological processes in the central nervous system but the respective roles of the five receptor isotypes (sst1-5) that mediate its effects are yet to be defined. In the p resent study, we attempted to identify functions of the sst2 receptor using mice with no functional copy of this gene (sst2 KO mice). In contrast with control 129Sv/C57Bl6 mice, sst2 mRNA was no longer detectable in the brain of sst2 KO mice; I-125-labeled Tyr(0)DTrp(8)-SRIF14 binding was also great ly reduced in almost all brain structures except for the hippocampal CA1 ar ea, demonstrating that sst2 accounts for most SRIF binding in mouse brain. Invalidation of this subtype generated an increased anxiety-related behavio ur in a number of behavioural paradigms, while locomotor and exploratory ac tivity was decreased in stress-inducing situations. No major motor defects could be detected. sst2 KO mice also displayed increased release of pituita ry ACTH, a main regulator of the stress response. Thus, somatostatin, via s st2 receptor isotype pathways, appears involved in the modulation of locomo tor, exploratory and emotional reactivity in mice.