locus with a complex, imprinted expression pattern for multiple transcripts, including the G-protein alpha subunit (GSα) involved in the cellular actions of neurotransmitters, autocrine/paracrine factors, and hormones [Bastepe, 2007; Plagge et al., 2008], as well as neuroendocrine secretory protein 55 (NESP55) that is transcribed exclusively from the maternal allele [Weiss et al., 2000]. Behavioral studies of mice with a knockout of the NESP55 transcript have revealed increased reactivity to novel environments, indicating a role of maternally expressed NESP55 in controlling exploratory and risk-taking behaviors and, given its distribution throughout the brain, raising the possibility that other types of behavior are under its influence [Plagge et al., 2005].
