Over-expression of δC-DCLK-short in mouse brain results in a more anxious behavioral phenotype

► We report on the generation of a novel transgenic mouse line with over-expression of a modified, constitutively active product of the Doublecortin-Like Kinase (DCLK) gene, called δC-DCLK-short. ► We demonstrate high levels of transgenic δC-DCLK-short mRNA throughout the brain, including the cortex, amygdala and hippocampus. ► We show that the δC-DCLK-short protein is also highly expressed in the hippocampus and cortex of transgenic mice. ► We demonstrate that the immunoprecipitated in vivo expressed δC-DCLK-short protein is active and functional in the hippocampus. ► Furthermore, we have previously shown deregulation of GABA metabolism-related genes in the hippocampus of transgenic δC-DCLK-short mice. As GABAergic neurotransmission is central for anxiety-related behaviors we tested anxiety-related behaviors of these novel transgenic mice.