ZFHX3 plays a role in pain and cautious-like behaviours in mice

A missense mutation in zinc finger homeobox-3 (ZFHX3) gene is known to alter circadian rhythms and metabolism. ZFHX3 is highly expressed in the central nucleus of amygdala and so we investigated whether female and male Zfhx3 Sci-/+ mice have impaired pain, fear, anxiety-like, and cautious-like behaviours as these behaviours which are associated with the central nucleus of the amygdala. Using mechanical and thermal sensitivity test, the fear conditioning test and the light-dark box test, we found that female Zfhx3 Sci-/+ mice have hypoalgesia to mechanical stimulus while hyperalgesia to heat stimulus. Additionally, both female and male Zfhx3 Sci-/+ display reduction of cautious-like behaviour. While neither female and male Zfhx3 Sci-/+ mice showed a difference in fear conditioning or anxiety-like behaviour, we have demonstrated for the first time that ZFHX3 is involved in pain and cautious behaviours. Highlights Female and male Zfhx3 Sci/+ mice displayed less cautious-like behaviour Zfhx3 Sci/+ female mice had hypoalgesia to noxious mechanical stimulus Zfhx3 Sci/+ female mice had hyperalgesia to noxious heat stimulus