Brain D-serine and tyrosine levels in ataxic mutant mice

Summary Since D-serine occurs at high concentrations in mammalian forebrains, the brain D-serine content was analyzed in hyperkinetic and ataxic mutant mice as well as normal control mice in a search for a physiological role. The concentrations of free D-serine (nmol/g wet weight) were 392 ± 114 (mean ± S.D.), 43 ± 17 and 18 ± 8.4 in the cerebrum, brain stem and cerebellum of the BUS mouse, respectively; and 336 ± 93,58 ± 11 and 18 ± 8.5 in the cerebrum, brain stem and cerebellum of the Rolling mouse, respectively. These values were not significantly different from those for each control animal. The present results suggest that brain D-serine may not be a cause of the abnormal movements of the mutant mice. On the contrary, among many amino acids examined, tyrosine level was found to be lower in the brain stem of BUS mouse compared to the normal control animal by amino acid analysis.