Research reportBehavioral characterization of CD36 knockout mice with SHIRPA primary screen

•SHIRPA primary screen were successfully applied to CD36−/− mice and C57BL/6J mice.•CD36−/− mice displayed increased aggression and locomotor activity in SHIRPA primary screen.•Multiple neuropsychiatric diseases (mainly depression and anxiety) related behavioral tests were conducted in CD36−/− mice and C57BL/6J mice.•CD36−/− mice showed increased anxiety-like behavior.

CD36 is a member of the class B scavenger receptor family of cell surface proteins, which plays a major role in fatty acid, glucose and lipid metabolism. Besides, CD36 functions as a microglial surface receptor for amyloid beta peptide. Regarding this, we suggest CD36 might also contribute to neuropsychiatric disease. The aim of this study was to achieve a behavioral phenotype of CD36 knockout (CD36−/−) mice. We characterized the behavior of CD36−/− mice and C57BL/6J mice by subjecting them to a series of tests, which include SHIRPA primary behavioral screen test, 1% sucrose preference test, elevated plus-maze test, open-field test and forced swimming test. The results showed that CD36−/− mice traversed more squares, emitted more defecation, exhibited higher tail elevation and had more aggressive behaviors than C57BL/6J mice. The CD36−/− mice spent more time and traveled longer distance in periphery zone in the open-field test. Meanwhile, the numbers that CD36−/− mice entered in the open arms of elevated plus-maze were reduced. These findings suggest that CD36−/− mice present an anxious phenotype and might be involved in neuropsychiatric disorders.