Haploinsufficiency of Dyrk1A in mice leads to specific alterations in the development and regulation of motor activity.

DYRK1A is a protein kinase proposed to be involved in neurogenesis. Gene-targeting disruption of Dyrk1A in mice leads to decreased body and brain size, with no severe disturbance of behavior. In this study, the authors focused on the motor profile of DyrkIA +/- mice. These mice presented impairment of neuromotor development with decreased activity, suggesting a physiological role of DyrkIA in the maturation of the neuromotor system. In the adult, a marked hypoactivity and alteration of specific motor parameters were detected. These results are in agreement with the significant expression of DyrkIA in structures related to motor function and support a role of DyrkIA in the control of motor function.