SHIRPA explained

SHIRPA is a standardized set of experimental procedures used by scientists to characterize the phenotype of genetically modified laboratory mice. The protocols are designed to test muscle function, cerebellar function, sensory function and neuropsychiatric function.^[1]

Origin

SHIRPA is an acronym of SmithKline Beecham, Harwell, Imperial College, Royal London Hospital, phenotype assessment), proposed in 1997 by a group of researchers from a number of British institutions and the pharmaceutical company, SmithKline Beecham.^{[2] [3]} There are up to 40 tests in SHIRPA, across three screens of increasing complexity and specialization.^[2] The first describes the behavior of the mouse subject by observation. The second involves a more thorough behavioral assessment and includes pathological analysis. The third screening stage is focused on potential animal models of neurological disease.^{[3] [4]}

Testing of mutant mice

The protocol has been used to test several mutant mice,^[5] including dystrophin-deficient mutants,^[6] transgenic models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis^[7] and Alzheimer's disease,^[8] and a spontaneous mutant with degeneration of the cerebellum.^[9]

Modifications

The first part of the SHIRPA protocol was changed to include observations on morphology and dysmorphology. This protocol became known as the "modified SHIRPA" and has been used to screen for dominant phenotypes in mice.^[10]

See also

• Sanger Mouse Genetics Project

Notes and References

1. Hatcher JP, Jones DN, Rogers DC, etal . Development of SHIRPA to characterise the phenotype of gene-targeted mice . Behav. Brain Res. . 125 . 1–2 . 43–7 . November 2001 . 11682092 . 10.1016/s0166-4328(01)00275-3. 6313756 .
2. Nolan PM, Peters J, Strivens M, etal . A systematic, genome-wide, phenotype-driven mutagenesis programme for gene function studies in the mouse . Nat. Genet. . 25 . 4 . 440–3 . August 2000 . 10932191 . 10.1038/78140 . 9028853 .
3. Rogers . D. C. . Fisher . E. M. C. . Elizabeth Fisher (neuroscientist) . Brown . S. D. M. . Peters . J. . Hunter . A. J. . Jackie Hunter. Martin . J. E. . 10.1007/s003359900551 . Behavioral and functional analysis of mouse phenotype: SHIRPA, a proposed protocol for comprehensive phenotype assessment . Mammalian Genome . 8 . 10 . 711–713 . 1997 . 9321461. 29864514 .
4. Rogers DC, Peters J, Martin JE, etal . SHIRPA, a protocol for behavioral assessment: validation for longitudinal study of neurological dysfunction in mice . Neurosci. Lett. . 306 . 1–2 . 89–92 . June 2001 . 11403965 . 10.1016/S0304-3940(01)01885-7. 44756347 .
5. Lalonde R, Strazielle C . SHIRPA as a neurological screening battery in mice . Current Protocols. 1. 482–488 . May 2021 . 5 . 4000103 . 10.1002/cpz1.135. 234770535 .
6. Rafael JA, Nitta Y, Peters J, Davies KE . Testing of SHIRPA, a mouse phenotypic assessment protocol, on Dmd(mdx) and Dmd(mdx3cv) dystrophin-deficient mice . Mamm. Genome . 11 . 9 . 725–8 . September 2000 . 10967129 . 10.1007/s003350010149. 12996210 .
7. Lalonde R, Eyer J, Wunderle V, Strazielle C . Characterization of NFH-LacZ transgenic mice with the SHIRPA primary screening battery and tests of motor coordination, exploratory activity, and spatial learning . Behav Proc. . 63 . 1 . 9–19 . May 2003 . 12763264 . 10.1016/S0376-6357(03)00013-5. 2508969 .
8. Lalonde R, Dumont M, Staufenbiel M, Strazielle C . Neurobehavioral characterization of APP23 transgenic mice with the SHIRPA primary screen . Behav. Brain Res. . 157 . 1 . 91–8 . February 2005 . 15617775 . 10.1016/j.bbr.2004.06.020 . 35239762 .
9. Jacquelin C, Strazielle C, Lalonde R . Neurologic function during developmental and adult stages in Dab1(scm) (scrambler) mutant mice. . Behav. Brain Res. . 226 . 1 . 265–273 . September 2011 . 21945093 . 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.09.020. 140205214 .
10. Masuya H, Inoue M, Wada Y, etal . Implementation of the modified-SHIRPA protocol for screening of dominant phenotypes in a large-scale ENU mutagenesis program . Mamm. Genome . 16 . 11 . 829–37 . November 2005 . 16284798 . 10.1007/s00335-005-2430-8 . 35870158 .