Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of transient receptor potential C class 1 (TRPC1) gene on spatial learning and memory of mice. METHODS: Using Morris water maze to perform a consecutive 5-days learning of spatial acquisition (spatial navigation test) on 4-month wild-type (S129) and TRPC1 gene knockout (TRPC1 KO) mice with S129 background (n=10) and record the four quadrants latency independently. Long-term memory on the seventh day after the end of the learning stage was measured,and some parameters that could reflect memory ability of the mice were analyzed as follows: the first time that mice reach the platform (probe time),swimming trajectories,platform crossing numbers,total distance,average speed,percentage of time in target quadrant and percentage of distance in target quadrant. Independent-sample t test was applied to analyze the behavioral differences between S129 and TRPC1 KO mice. RESULTS: During 5-days learning stage,wild-type mice and TRPC1 KO mice have no significant difference in latency. In the stage of long-term memory measurement,wild-type mice and TRPC1 KO mice displayed no significant difference in probe time,crossing number of platform,average swimming speed,total distance travelled,the percentage of time spent and the percentage of distance travelled in the correct quadrant. CONCLUSION: TRPC1 gene deficiency does not affect spatial learning and memory ability of 4-month-old mice.

Key words: TRPC1 gene knockout mice, Morris water maze, learning ability, memory ability