Role of the Trace Amine Associated Receptors 5 (TAAR5) in Sensorimotor Functions

Abstract Monoamines are critical modulators of the sensorimotor neural networks. Using trace amine associated receptor 5 (TAAR5) knockout mice that express beta-galactosidase marker, we observed TAAR5 expression in the medial vestibular nucleus and Purkinje cells in the cerebellum suggesting that TAAR5 might be involved in gaze stabilization, vestibular and motor control. Accordingly, in various behavioral tests TAAR5-KO mice demonstrated lower endurance but better coordination and balance compared to wild type mice. Furthermore, we found specific changes in striatal local field potentials and motor cortex ECoG such as а decrease in delta andan increase in theta oscillations of power spectra respectively. The data obtained suggest that TAAR5 plays a considerable role in the regulation of postural stability, muscle force, balance and motor coordination during active movements, likely via modulation of monoaminergic systems on different levels of sensorimotor control, including brainstem, cerebellum and forebrain.