Comparison of wildtype and Fmr1 knock-out adult mouse gene expression in the cochlear nucleus

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a hereditary form of autism spectrum disorder. It is caused by a trinucleotide repeat expansion in the Fmr1 gene, leading to a loss of Fragile X Protein (FMRP) expression. The loss of FMRP causes auditory hypersensitivity: FXS patients display hyperacusis and the Fmr1- knock-out (KO) mouse model for FXS exhibits auditory seizures. FMRP is strongly expressed in the cochlear nucleus and other auditory brainstem nuclei. We hypothesize that the Fmr1-KO mouse has altered gene expression in the cochlear nucleus that may contribute to auditory hypersensitivity. Cochlear nuclei (containing both ventral and dorsal portions) were dissected from Fmr1-KO and WT mice (n=3 each), at age two months. Gene expressions were compared between the two genotypes.