Fig. 1

SRF ablation reduces occurrence of SE and SE intensity. a Experimental set-up. Mice were injected five times with tamoxifen, followed by 14 days allowing for SRF downregulation. Subsequently, pilocarpine was injected and mice were analyzed. b, c Hippocampal samples were analyzed for Srf mRNA (b) or SRF protein (c) abundance. In heterozygous mice being 40 min in SE, Srf mRNA (b) but not SRF protein (c) was elevated by pilocarpine injection at this early time-point. Srf mRNA (b) or protein (c) was clearly reduced in Srf mutant mice. d Mice were injected with 335 or 350 mg/kg pilocarpine and seizure intensity was scored every 15 min by the Racine scale in the first 2 h. All heterozygous control mice entered SE status after approximately 45 min for both pilocarpine concentrations. In contrast, in mutant mice the seizure score was significantly reduced for both pilocarpine concentrations and no animal reached SE after 45 min with a dose of 335 mg/kg pilocarpine. Data are represented as mean ± SEM. e The latency until the first seizure was almost doubled in Srf mutant compared to heterozygous mice for both pilocarpine concentrations. f Representative raw (left) and normalized (right) EEG recordings of one heterozygous and one Srf mutant animal depicting start of pilocarpine injection, SE start and diazepam injection after 40 min of SE. g In SRF deficient mice, it takes longer until SE is achieved after pilocarpine injection. h To quantify SE severity, the area under the different band power curves was determined from SE initiation until diazepam injection. The values were normalized to the area under the band power curve obtained from baseline EEG recordings of identical duration obtained 24 h before SE. In control animals all frequency bands during SE were elevated compared to Srf mutant mice, however not in a statistically significant manner. i 24 h after diazepam injection heterozygous and SRF deficient mice had comparable EEG activities. Data are represented as mean ± SD. Number of animals are indicated or individual animals are labeled with grey circles