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Mews P, Sosnick L, Gurung A, Sidoli S, Nestler EJ. Decoding cocaine-induced proteomic adaptations in the mouse nucleus accumbens. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadl4738. [PMID: 38626009 PMCID: PMC11170322 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adl4738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a chronic neuropsychiatric condition that results from enduring cellular and molecular adaptations. Among substance use disorders, CUD is notable for its rising prevalence and the lack of approved pharmacotherapies. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a region that is integral to the brain's reward circuitry, plays a crucial role in the initiation and continuation of maladaptive behaviors that are intrinsic to CUD. Leveraging advancements in neuroproteomics, we undertook a proteomic analysis that spanned membrane, cytosolic, nuclear, and chromatin compartments of the NAc in a mouse model. The results unveiled immediate and sustained proteomic modifications after cocaine exposure and during prolonged withdrawal. We identified congruent protein regulatory patterns during initial cocaine exposure and reexposure after withdrawal, which contrasted with distinct patterns during withdrawal. Pronounced proteomic shifts within the membrane compartment indicated adaptive and long-lasting molecular responses prompted by cocaine withdrawal. In addition, we identified potential protein translocation events between soluble-nuclear and chromatin-bound compartments, thus providing insight into intracellular protein dynamics after cocaine exposure. Together, our findings illuminate the intricate proteomic landscape that is altered in the NAc by cocaine use and provide a dataset for future research toward potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Mews
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Lucas Sosnick
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ashik Gurung
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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2
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Fernàndez-Castillo N, Cabana-Domínguez J, Corominas R, Cormand B. Molecular genetics of cocaine use disorders in humans. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:624-639. [PMID: 34453125 PMCID: PMC8960411 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01256-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction, one of the major health problems worldwide, is characterized by the loss of control in drug intake, craving, and withdrawal. At the individual level, drugs of abuse produce serious consequences on health and have a negative impact on the family environment and on interpersonal and work relationships. At a wider scale, they have significant socio-economic and public health consequences and they cause delinquency and citizen insecurity. Cocaine, a psychostimulant substance, is one of the most used illicit drugs, especially in America, Western Europe, and Australia. Cocaine use disorders (CUD) are complex multifactorial conditions driven by both genetic and environmental influences. Importantly, not all people who use cocaine develop CUD, and this is due, at least in part, to biological factors that are encoded in the genome of individuals. Acute and repeated use of cocaine induces epigenetic and gene expression changes responsible for the neuronal adaptations and the remodeling of brain circuits that lead to the transition from use to abuse or dependence. The purpose of this review is to delineate such factors, which should eventually help to understand the inter-individual variability in the susceptibility to cocaine addiction. Heritability estimates for CUD are high and genetic risk factors for cocaine addiction have been investigated by candidate gene association studies (CGAS) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), reviewed here. Also, the high comorbidity that exists between CUD and several other psychiatric disorders is well known and includes phenotypes like schizophrenia, aggression, antisocial or risk-taking behaviors. Such comorbidities are associated with a worse lifetime trajectory, and here we report shared genetic factors that may contribute to them. Gene expression changes and epigenetic modifications induced by cocaine use and chronic abuse in humans are addressed by reviewing transcriptomic studies performed on neuronal cells and on postmortem brains. We report some genes which expression is altered by cocaine that also bear genetic risk variants for the disorder. Finally, we have a glance to the pharmacogenetics of CUD treatments, still in early stages. A better understanding of the genetic underpinnings of CUD will foster the search of effective treatments and help to move forward to personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noèlia Fernàndez-Castillo
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. .,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. .,Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Judit Cabana-Domínguez
- grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain ,grid.452372.50000 0004 1791 1185Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain ,grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia Spain ,grid.411160.30000 0001 0663 8628Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia Spain
| | - Roser Corominas
- grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain ,grid.452372.50000 0004 1791 1185Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain ,grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia Spain ,grid.411160.30000 0001 0663 8628Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia Spain
| | - Bru Cormand
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. .,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. .,Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.
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3
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Mukherjee D, Gonzales BJ, Ashwal-Fluss R, Turm H, Groysman M, Citri A. Egr2 induction in spiny projection neurons of the ventrolateral striatum contributes to cocaine place preference in mice. eLife 2021; 10:65228. [PMID: 33724178 PMCID: PMC8057818 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction develops due to brain-wide plasticity within neuronal ensembles, mediated by dynamic gene expression. Though the most common approach to identify such ensembles relies on immediate early gene expression, little is known of how the activity of these genes is linked to modified behavior observed following repeated drug exposure. To address this gap, we present a broad-to-specific approach, beginning with a comprehensive investigation of brain-wide cocaine-driven gene expression, through the description of dynamic spatial patterns of gene induction in subregions of the striatum, and finally address functionality of region-specific gene induction in the development of cocaine preference. Our findings reveal differential cell-type specific dynamic transcriptional recruitment patterns within two subdomains of the dorsal striatum following repeated cocaine exposure. Furthermore, we demonstrate that induction of the IEG Egr2 in the ventrolateral striatum, as well as the cells within which it is expressed, are required for the development of cocaine seeking. The human brain is ever changing, constantly rewiring itself in response to new experiences, knowledge or information from the environment. Addictive drugs such as cocaine can hijack the genetic mechanisms responsible for this plasticity, creating dangerous, obsessive drug-seeking and consuming behaviors. Cocaine-induced plasticity is difficult to apprehend, however, as brain regions or even cell populations can react differently to the compound. For instance, sub-regions in the striatum – the brain area that responds to rewards and helps to plan movement – show distinct responses during progressive exposure to cocaine. And while researchers know that the drug immediately changes how neurons switch certain genes on and off, it is still unclear how these genetic modifications later affect behavior. Mukherjee, Gonzales et al. explored these questions at different scales, first focusing on how progressive cocaine exposure changed the way various gene programs were activated across the entire brain. This revealed that programs in the striatum were the most affected by the drug. Examining this region more closely showed that cocaine switches on genes in specific ‘spiny projection’ neuron populations, depending on where these cells are located and the drug history of the mouse. Finally, Mukherjee, Gonzales et al. used genetically modified mice to piece together cocaine exposure, genetic changes and modifications in behavior. These experiments revealed that the drive to seek cocaine depended on activation of the Egr2 gene in populations of spiny projection neurons in a specific sub-region of the striatum. The gene, which codes for a protein that regulates how genes are switched on and off, was itself strongly activated by cocaine intake. Cocaine addiction can have devastating consequences for individuals. Grasping how this drug alters the brain could pave the way for new treatments, while also providing information on the basic mechanisms underlying brain plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diptendu Mukherjee
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel.,Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ben Jerry Gonzales
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel.,Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Reut Ashwal-Fluss
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hagit Turm
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel.,Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maya Groysman
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ami Citri
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel.,Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Program in Child and Brain Development, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, MaRS Centre, Toronto, Canada
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Huggett SB, Bubier JA, Chesler EJ, Palmer RHC. Do gene expression findings from mouse models of cocaine use recapitulate human cocaine use disorder in reward circuitry? GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 20:e12689. [PMID: 32720468 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Animal models of drug use have investigated possible mechanisms governing human substance use traits for over 100 years. Most cross-species research on drug use/addiction examines behavioral overlap, but studies assessing neuromolecular (e.g. RNA) correspondence are lacking. Our study utilized transcriptome-wide data from the hippocampus and ventral tegmental area (VTA)/midbrain from a total of 35 human males with cocaine use disorder/controls and 49 male C57BL/6J cocaine/saline administering/exposed mice. We hypothesized differential expressed genes and systems of co-expressed genes (gene networks) would show appreciable overlap across mouse cocaine self-administration and human cocaine use disorder. We found modest, but significant relationships between differentially expressed genes associated with cocaine self-administration (short access) and cocaine use disorder within reward circuitry. Differentially expressed genes underlying models of acute cocaine exposure (cocaine), context re-exposure and cocaine + context re-exposure were not consistently associated with human CUD across brain regions. Investigating systems of co-expressed genes, we found several validated gene networks with weak to moderate conservation between cocaine/saline self-administering mice and disordered cocaine users/controls. The most conserved hippocampal and VTA gene networks demonstrated substantial overlap (2029 common genes) and included both novel and previously implicated targets for cocaine use/addiction. Lastly, we conducted (expression-based) phenome-wide association studies of the nine common hub genes across conserved gene networks. Common hub genes were associated with dopamine/serotonin function, cocaine self-administration and other relevant mouse traits. Overall, our study pinpointed and characterized conserved brain-related RNA patterns across mouse cocaine self-administration and human cocaine use disorder. We offer recommendations for future research and add to the dialogue surrounding pre-clinical animal research for human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer B Huggett
- Behavioral Genetics of Addiction Laboratory, Department of Psychology at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jason A Bubier
- Center for Systems Neurogenetics of Addiction, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
| | - Elissa J Chesler
- Center for Systems Neurogenetics of Addiction, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
| | - Rohan H C Palmer
- Behavioral Genetics of Addiction Laboratory, Department of Psychology at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Cabana-Domínguez J, Arenas C, Cormand B, Fernàndez-Castillo N. MiR-9, miR-153 and miR-124 are down-regulated by acute exposure to cocaine in a dopaminergic cell model and may contribute to cocaine dependence. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:173. [PMID: 30166527 PMCID: PMC6117282 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0224-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine is one of the most used psychostimulant drugs worldwide. MicroRNAs are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that are highly expressed in brain, and several studies have shown that cocaine can alter their expression. In a previous study, we identified several protein-coding genes that are differentially expressed in a dopaminergic neuron-like model after an acute exposure to cocaine. Now, we used the prediction tool WebGestalt to identify miRNA molecules potentially involved in the regulation of these genes. Using the same cellular model, we found that seven of these miRNAs are down-regulated by cocaine: miR-124-3p, miR-124-5p, miR-137, miR-101-3p, miR-9-5p, miR-369-3p and miR-153-3p, the last three not previously related to cocaine. Furthermore, we found that three of the miRNA genes that are differentially expressed in our model (hsa-miR-9-1, hsa-miR-153-1 and hsa-miR-124-3) are nominally associated with cocaine dependence in a case-control study (2,085 cases and 4,293 controls). In summary, we highlighted novel miRNAs that may be involved in those cocaine-induced changes of gene expression that underlie addiction. Moreover, we identified genetic variants that contribute to cocaine dependence in three of these miRNA genes, supporting the idea that genes differentially expressed under cocaine may play an important role in the susceptibility to cocaine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Cabana-Domínguez
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Concepció Arenas
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Bru Cormand
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Noèlia Fernàndez-Castillo
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.
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Shimamoto A, Rappeneau V. Sex-dependent mental illnesses and mitochondria. Schizophr Res 2017; 187:38-46. [PMID: 28279571 PMCID: PMC5581986 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of some mental illnesses, including major depression, anxiety-, trauma-, and stress-related disorders, some substance use disorders, and later onset of schizophrenia, is higher in women than men. While the higher prevalence in women could simply be explained by socioeconomic determinants, such as income, social status, or cultural background, extensive studies show sex differences in biological, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacological factors contribute to females' vulnerability to these mental illnesses. In this review, we focus on estrogens, chronic stress, and neurotoxicity from behavioral, pharmacological, biological, and molecular perspectives to delineate the sex differences in these mental illnesses. Particularly, we investigate a possible role of mitochondrial function, including biosynthesis, bioenergetics, and signaling, on mediating the sex differences in psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Shimamoto
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, 1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd., Nashville, TN 37028-3599, United States.
| | - Virginie Rappeneau
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, 1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd., Nashville, TN 37028-3599, United States
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7
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Li M, Xu P, Xu Y, Teng H, Tian W, Du Q, Zhao M. Dynamic Expression Changes in the Transcriptome of the Prefrontal Cortex after Repeated Exposure to Cocaine in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:142. [PMID: 28386228 PMCID: PMC5362609 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prefrontal cortex (PFC)-dependent functions, such as executive function, explicit learning, and memory, are negatively affected in cocaine abusers and experimental animal models of cocaine treatment. However, its molecular mechanisms are less understood. In the present study, we performed transcriptome profiling of the dynamic changes in the PFC after repeated cocaine administration in mice. We found 463, 14, and 535 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 2 h, 24 h, and 7 days, respectively, after the withdrawal of chronic cocaine treatment. Time-series correlation analysis identified 5 clusters of statistically significant expression patterns. The expression levels of DEGs in Clusters 1 and 5 exhibited a gradual or fluctuant decrease, Cluster 2 exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease or return to the baseline level, and Clusters 3 and 4 exhibited a fluctuant increase in the expression of DEGs. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that genes related to oxidative phosphorylation, ribosomes, and neurodegenerative disorder were enriched in Cluster 1; genes related to the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, insulin signaling, and circadian pathways were enriched in Cluster 2; genes related to plasticity-related pathways were enriched in Clusters 3 and 4; and genes related to the proteasome were enriched in Cluster 5. Our results suggest that maladaptive neural plasticity associated with psychostimulant dependence may be an ongoing degenerative process with dynamic changes in the gene network at different stages of withdrawal. Furthermore, it could be helpful to develop new therapeutic approaches according to different periods of abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhen Li
- Key Lab of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China; Beijing Center for Physical and Chemical AnalysisBeijing, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security Beijing, China
| | - Yanhua Xu
- Key Lab of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Huajing Teng
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Weiping Tian
- Key Lab of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Quansheng Du
- Key Lab of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China; Department of Life Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaBeijing, China
| | - Mei Zhao
- Key Lab of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
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8
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Wang ZJ, Martin JA, Mueller LE, Caccamise A, Werner CT, Neve RL, Gancarz AM, Li JX, Dietz DM. BRG1 in the Nucleus Accumbens Regulates Cocaine-Seeking Behavior. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 80:652-660. [PMID: 27422367 PMCID: PMC5050080 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug addiction is defined as a chronic disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and episodes of relapse despite prolonged periods of drug abstinence. Neurobiological adaptations, including transcriptional and epigenetic alterations in the nucleus accumbens, are thought to contribute to this life-long disease state. We previously demonstrated that the transcription factor SMAD3 is increased after 7 days of withdrawal from cocaine self-administration. However, it is still unknown which additional factors participate in the process of chromatin remodeling and facilitate the binding of SMAD3 to promoter regions of target genes. Here, we examined the possible interaction of BRG1-also known as SMARCA4, an adenosine triphosphatase-containing chromatin remodeler-and SMAD3 in response to cocaine exposure. METHODS The expression of BRG1, as well as its binding to SMAD3 and target gene promoter regions, was evaluated in the nucleus accumbens and dorsal striatum of rats using western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation following abstinence from cocaine self-administration. Rats were assessed for cocaine-seeking behaviors after either intra-accumbal injections of the BRG1 inhibitor PFI3 or viral-mediated overexpression of BRG1. RESULTS After withdrawal from cocaine self-administration, BRG1 expression and complex formation with SMAD3 are increased in the nucleus accumbens, resulting in increased binding of BRG1 to the promoter regions of Ctnnb1, Mef2d, and Dbn1. Intra-accumbal infusion of PFI3 attenuated, whereas viral overexpression of Brg1 enhanced, cocaine-reinstatement behavior. CONCLUSIONS BRG1 is a key mediator of the SMAD3-dependent regulation of cellular and behavioral plasticity that mediates cocaine seeking after a period of withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; Research Institute on Addictions, Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Jennifer A Martin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; Research Institute on Addictions, Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Lauren E Mueller
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; Research Institute on Addictions, Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Aaron Caccamise
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; Research Institute on Addictions, Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Craig T Werner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; Research Institute on Addictions, Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Rachael L Neve
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Amy M Gancarz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; Research Institute on Addictions, Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - David M Dietz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; Research Institute on Addictions, Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York; Department of Psychology, California State University Bakersfield, Bakersfield, California.
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9
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Transcriptomic and genetic studies identify NFAT5 as a candidate gene for cocaine dependence. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e667. [PMID: 26506053 PMCID: PMC4930134 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine reward and reinforcing effects are mediated mainly by dopaminergic neurotransmission. In this study, we aimed at evaluating gene expression changes induced by acute cocaine exposure on SH-SY5Y-differentiated cells, which have been widely used as a dopaminergic neuronal model. Expression changes and a concomitant increase in neuronal activity were observed after a 5 μM cocaine exposure, whereas no changes in gene expression or in neuronal activity took place at 1 μM cocaine. Changes in gene expression were identified in a total of 756 genes, mainly related to regulation of transcription and gene expression, cell cycle, adhesion and cell projection, as well as mitogen-activeated protein kinase (MAPK), CREB, neurotrophin and neuregulin signaling pathways. Some genes displaying altered expression were subsequently targeted with predicted functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a case-control association study in a sample of 806 cocaine-dependent patients and 817 controls. This study highlighted associations between cocaine dependence and five SNPs predicted to alter microRNA binding at the 3'-untranslated region of the NFAT5 gene. The association of SNP rs1437134 with cocaine dependence survived the Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. A functional effect was confirmed for this variant by a luciferase reporter assay, with lower expression observed for the rs1437134G allele, which was more pronounced in the presence of hsa-miR-509. However, brain volumes in regions of relevance to addiction, as assessed with magnetic resonance imaging, did not correlate with NFAT5 variation. These results suggest that the NFAT5 gene, which is upregulated a few hours after cocaine exposure, may be involved in the genetic predisposition to cocaine dependence.
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10
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Jiménez-Urbieta H, Gago B, de la Riva P, Delgado-Alvarado M, Marin C, Rodriguez-Oroz MC. Dyskinesias and impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease: From pathogenesis to potential therapeutic approaches. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015. [PMID: 26216865 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Dopaminergic treatment in Parkinson's disease (PD) reduces the severity of motor symptoms of the disease. However, its chronic use is associated with disabling motor and behavioral side effects, among which levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LID) and impulse control disorders (ICD) are the most common. The underlying mechanisms and pathological substrate of these dopaminergic complications are not fully understood. Recently, the refinement of imaging techniques and the study of the genetics and molecular bases of LID and ICD indicate that, although different, they could share some features. In addition, animal models of parkinsonism with LID have provided important knowledge about mechanisms underlying such complications. In contrast, animal models of parkinsonism and abnormal impulsivity, although useful regarding some aspects of human ICD, do not fully resemble the clinical phenotype of ICD in patients with PD, and until now have provided limited information. Studies on animal models of addiction could complement the previous models and provide some insights into the background of these behavioral complications given that ICD are regarded as behavioral addictions. Here we review the most relevant advances in relation to imaging, genetics, biochemistry and pharmacological interventions to treat LID and ICD in patients with PD and in animal models with a view to better understand the overlapping and unique maladaptations to dopaminergic therapy that are associated with LID and ICD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haritz Jiménez-Urbieta
- Biodonostia Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.
| | - Belén Gago
- Biodonostia Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.
| | | | - Manuel Delgado-Alvarado
- Biodonostia Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.
| | - Concepció Marin
- INGENIO, IRCE, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - María C Rodriguez-Oroz
- Biodonostia Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain; University Hospital Donostia, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; Ikerbasque (Basque Foundation for Science), 48011 Bilbao, Spain.
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11
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Wu Q, Liu M, Huang C, Liu X, Huang B, Li N, Zhou H, Xia XG. Pathogenic Ubqln2 gains toxic properties to induce neuron death. Acta Neuropathol 2015; 129:417-28. [PMID: 25388785 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-014-1367-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2014] [Revised: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in ubiquilin 2 (Ubqln2) is linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. A foremost question regarding Ubqln2 pathogenesis is whether pathogenically mutated Ubqln2 causes neuron death via a gain or loss of functions. To better understand Ubqln2 pathobiology, we created Ubqln2 transgenic and knockout rats and compared phenotypic expression in these novel rat models. Overexpression of Ubqln2 with a pathogenic mutation (P497H substitution) caused cognitive deficits and neuronal loss in transgenic rats at the age of 130 days. In the transgenic rats, neuronal loss was preceded by the progressive formation of Ubqln2 aggregates and was accompanied by the progressive accumulation of the autophagy substrates p62 and LC3-II and the impairment of endosome pathways. In contrast, none of these pathologies observed in mutant Ubqln2 transgenic rats was detected in Ubqln2 knockout rats at the age of 300 days. Together, our findings in Ubqln2 transgenic and knockout rats collectively suggest that pathogenic Ubqln2 causes neuron death mainly through a gain of unrevealed functions rather than a loss of physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinxue Wu
- Department of Pathology, Thomas Jefferson University, JAH506, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
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12
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Dela Peña I, Jeon SJ, Lee E, Ryu JH, Shin CY, Noh M, Cheong JH. Neuronal development genes are key elements mediating the reinforcing effects of methamphetamine, amphetamine, and methylphenidate. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 230:399-413. [PMID: 23783774 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3168-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The molecular mechanisms underlying susceptibility to psychostimulant addiction remain unclear. Searching for commonalities in the effects of addictive drugs on brain gene expression is a prolific approach to determine transcriptional signatures influencing drug abuse. OBJECTIVE We explored the common transcriptional responses to the reinforcing effects of psychostimulants methamphetamine, amphetamine, and methylphenidate. We also aimed to identify transcriptional changes that may subserve abuse of these drugs. METHODS Genome-wide transcriptome profiling analyses were performed to identify common prefrontal cortical (PFC) and striatal gene expression profiles in drug-naïve (cohort 1) and stimulant-pretreated (cohort 2) rats, which showed a conditioned place preference to and self-administration of methamphetamine, amphetamine, and methylphenidate. RESULTS In behavioral studies, stimulant-pretreated rats showed behavioral sensitization characterized by enhanced behavioral response to the rewarding or reinforcing effects of psychostimulants. Inflammation-associated genes (e.g., Alas1, S100a8 and S100a9) were identified as the primary differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in both the PFC and the striatum of cohort 1 rats, while neuronal plasticity (Sgk1)- and brain development (e.g., Bhlhe22, Neurod1, Nr4a2, and Msx1)-associated genes comprised the major upregulated DEGs in the striatum of cohort 2 rats. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of the common striatal DEGs in this study along with morphine-regulated striatal transcriptomes in mice (National Center for Biotechnology Information-Gene Expression Omnibus Database Accession Code GSE7762) suggested similar expression profiles of genes involved in neuronal development (e.g., Bhlhe22, Nr4a2). CONCLUSION This study provides evidence that brain development-associated genes mediate the reinforcing effects of methamphetamine, amphetamine, and methylphenidate and that these transcripts may underlie susceptibility to psychostimulant addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ike Dela Peña
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Sahmyook University, 26-21 Kongreung-2-dong, Hwarangro-815, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 139-742, South Korea
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13
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Abstract
Substance dependence is characterized by a group of symptoms, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). These symptoms include tolerance, withdrawal, drug consumption for alleviating withdrawal, exaggerated consumption beyond original intention, failure to reduce drug consumption, expending a considerable amount of time obtaining or recovering from the substance's effects, disregard of basic aspects of life (for example, family), and maintenance of drug consumption, despite facing adverse consequences. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a brain structure located in the basal forebrain of vertebrates, and it has been the target of addictive drugs. Different neurotransmitter systems at the level of the NAc circuitry have been linked to the different problems of drug addiction, like compulsive use and relapse. The glutamate system has been linked mainly to relapse after drug-seeking extinction. The dopamine system has been linked mainly to compulsive drug use. The glutamate homeostasis hypothesis centers around the dynamics of synaptic and extrasynaptic levels of glutamate, and their impact on circuitry from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to the NAc. After repetitive drug use, deregulation of this homeostasis increases the release of glutamate from the PFC to the NAc during drug relapse. Glial cells also play a fundamental role in this hypothesis; glial cells shape the interactions between the PFC and the NAc by means of altering glutamate levels in synaptic and extrasynaptic spaces. On the other hand, cocaine self-administration and withdrawal increases the surface expression of subunit glutamate receptor 1 (GluA1) of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors at the level of the NAc. Also, cocaine self-administration and withdrawal induce the formation of subunit glutamate receptor 2 (GluA2), lacking the Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs) at the level of the NAc. Antagonism of the CP-AMPARs reduces cravings. It is necessary to pursue further exploration of the AMPA receptor subunit composition and variations at the level of the NAc for a better understanding of glutamatergic plastic changes. It is known that cocaine and morphine are able to induce changes in dendritic spine morphology by modifying actin cycling. These changes include an initial increase in spine head diameter and increases in AMPA receptor expression, followed by a second stage of spine head diameter retraction and reduction of the AMPA receptors' expression in spines. Besides glutamate and dopamine, other factors, like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), can influence NAc activity and induce changes in dendritic spine density. BDNF also induces drug-related behaviors like self-administration and relapse. Neither apoptosis nor neurogenesis plays a relevant role in the neurobiological processes subjacent to cocaine addiction in adults (rodent or human). Different therapeutic drugs like N-acetylcysteine (NAC), modafinil, acamprosate, and topiramate have been tested in preclinical and/or clinical models for alleviating drug relapse. Moreover, these therapeutic drugs target the glutamatergic circuitry between the PFC and the NAc. NAC and acamprosate have shown inconsistent results in clinical trials. Modafinil and topiramate have shown some success, but more clinical trials are necessary. Based on the current review findings, it could be recommendable to explore therapeutic approaches that include synergism between different drugs and neurotransmitter systems. The discrepancy in the results of some therapeutic drugs between preclinical versus clinical trials for alleviating relapse or drug dependence could be linked to the scarce exploration of preclinical models that mimic polydrug abuse patterns, for example, cocaine plus alcohol. At the clinical level, the pattern of polydrug consumption is a phenomenon of considerable frequency. Finally, as a complement at the end, an updated summary is included about the role of glutamate in other neuropsychiatric disorders (for example, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and others).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel C Quintero
- Florida State University - Panama, Clayton, Panama ; Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA ; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ancon, Republic of Panama
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14
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Eipper-Mains JE, Kiraly DD, Duff MO, Horowitz MJ, McManus CJ, Eipper BA, Graveley BR, Mains RE. Effects of cocaine and withdrawal on the mouse nucleus accumbens transcriptome. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2012; 12:21-33. [PMID: 23094851 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2012.00873.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic association studies, pharmacological investigations and analysis of mice-lacking individual genes have made it clear that Cocaine administration and Withdrawal have a profound impact on multiple neurotransmitter systems. The GABAergic medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) exhibit changes in the expression of genes encoding receptors for glutamate and in the signaling pathways triggered by dopamine binding to G-protein-coupled dopamine receptors. Deep sequence analysis provides a sensitive, quantitative and global analysis of the effects of Cocaine on the NAc transcriptome. RNA prepared from the NAc of adult male mice receiving daily injections of Saline or Cocaine, or Cocaine followed by a period of Withdrawal, was used for high-throughput sequence analysis. Changes were validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction or Western blot. On the basis of pathway analysis, a preponderance of the genes affected by Cocaine and Withdrawal was involved in the cadherin, heterotrimeric G-protein and Wnt signaling pathways. Distinct subsets of cadherins and protocadherins exhibited a sustained increase or decrease in expression. Sustained down-regulation of several heterotrimeric G-protein β- and γ-subunits was observed. In addition to altered expression of receptors for small molecule neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and endocannabinoids, changes in the expression of plasma membrane transporters and vesicular neurotransmitter transporters were also observed. The effects of chronic Cocaine and Withdrawal on the expression of genes essential to cholinergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, peptidergic and endocannabinoid signaling are as profound as their effects on dopaminergic transmission. Simultaneous targeting of multiple Withdrawal-specific changes in gene expression may facilitate development of new therapeutic approaches that are better able to prevent relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Eipper-Mains
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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15
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Duncan JR. Current perspectives on the neurobiology of drug addiction: a focus on genetics and factors regulating gene expression. ISRN NEUROLOGY 2012; 2012:972607. [PMID: 23097719 PMCID: PMC3477671 DOI: 10.5402/2012/972607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder defined by cyclic patterns of compulsive drug seeking and taking interspersed with episodes of abstinence. While genetic variability may increase the risk of addictive behaviours in an individual, exposure to a drug results in neuroadaptations in interconnected brain circuits which, in susceptible individuals, are believed to underlie the transition to, and maintenance of, an addicted state. These adaptations can occur at the cellular, molecular, or (epi)genetic level and are associated with synaptic plasticity and altered gene expression, the latter being mediated via both factors affecting translation (epigenetics) and transcription (non coding microRNAs) of the DNA or RNA itself. New advances using techniques such as optogenetics have the potential to increase our understanding of the microcircuitry mediating addictive behaviours. However, the processes leading to addiction are complex and multifactorial and thus we face a major contemporary challenge to elucidate the factors implicated in the development and maintenance of an addicted state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhodie R Duncan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia ; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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16
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Fiedler KK, Kim N, Kondo DG, Renshaw PF. Cocaine use in the past year is associated with altitude of residence. J Addict Med 2012; 6:166-71. [PMID: 22531819 PMCID: PMC4586105 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0b013e31824b6c62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recently, increased rates of suicide in US counties at higher altitudes have been noted. Because of the documented association between cocaine use and suicide, we hypothesized that there would be a correlation between incidence of cocaine use and altitude of residence. METHODS Cocaine use data were obtained from the Substate Substance Abuse Estimates from the 1999-2001 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Data related to the percentages of people 12 years or older who used cocaine in the past year. Average elevation for US counties was calculated using the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission elevation data set, and subject region elevation was calculated by averaging the weighted elevations of each region's relevant counties. The correlation between elevation of a substate region and incidence of cocaine use in that region was calculated using Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS A significant correlation exists between mean altitude of a substate region and incidence of cocaine use in that region (r = 0.34; P < 0.0001). Regression analysis controlling for age, sex, race, education level, income, unemployment, and population density was performed. Altitude remained a significant factor (P = 0.007), whereas male sex (P = 0.008) and possessing less than a college education (P < 0.0001) were also significant predictors of self-reported cocaine use in the past year. It is important to note that cocaine use was assessed in isolation of other drugs of abuse, an additional confounding variable. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a significant correlation between altitude of substate region of residence and incidence of cocaine use. It is possible that stress response due to hypoxia is responsible; however, this requires further investigation. However, because other substance use was not assessed, specificity of this association is unknown. In addition, this correlation may help explain the increased rate of suicide in areas of higher elevation.
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17
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Kovalevich J, Corley G, Yen W, Kim J, Rawls SM, Langford D. Cocaine decreases expression of neurogranin via alterations in thyroid receptor/retinoid X receptor signaling. J Neurochem 2012; 121:302-13. [PMID: 22300446 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07678.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests a potential link between cocaine abuse, disruptions in hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis signaling, and neuroplasticity, but molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Neurogranin (Ng) is a gene containing a thyroid hormone-responsive element within its first intron that is involved in synaptic plasticity. Transcriptional activation requires heterodimerization of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) bound by their respective ligands, tri-iodothryonine and 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA), and subsequent binding of this complex to the thyroid hormone-responsive element of the Ng gene. In this study, the effects of chronic cocaine abuse on Ng expression in euthyroid and hypothyroid mice were assessed. In cocaine-treated mice, decreased Ng expression was observed in the absence of changes in levels of thyroid hormones or other hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid signaling factors. Therefore, we hypothesized that cocaine decreases Ng expression via alterations in 9-cis-RA availability and TR/RXR signaling. In support of this hypothesis, RXR-γ was significantly decreased in brains of cocaine-treated mice while CYP26A1, the main enzyme responsible for neuronal RA degradation, was significantly increased. Results from this study provide the first evidence for a direct effect of cocaine abuse on TR/RXR signaling, RA metabolism, and transcriptional regulation of Ng, a gene essential for adult neuroplasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Kovalevich
- Department of Neuroscience, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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18
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Wang J, Yuan W, Li MD. Genes and pathways co-associated with the exposure to multiple drugs of abuse, including alcohol, amphetamine/methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, morphine, and/or nicotine: a review of proteomics analyses. Mol Neurobiol 2011; 44:269-86. [PMID: 21922273 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-011-8202-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2011] [Accepted: 08/31/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction is a chronic neuronal disease. In recent years, proteomics technology has been widely used to assess the protein expression in the brain tissues of both animals and humans exposed to addictive drugs. Through this approach, a large number of proteins potentially involved in the etiology of drug addictions have been identified, which provide a valuable resource to study protein function, biochemical pathways, and networks related to the molecular mechanisms underlying drug dependence. In this article, we summarize the recent application of proteomics to profiling protein expression patterns in animal or human brain tissues after the administration of alcohol, amphetamine/methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, morphine/heroin/butorphanol, or nicotine. From available reports, we compiled a list of 497 proteins associated with exposure to one or more addictive drugs, with 160 being related to exposure to at least two abused drugs. A number of biochemical pathways and biological processes appear to be enriched among these proteins, including synaptic transmission and signaling pathways related to neuronal functions. The data included in this work provide a summary and extension of the proteomics studies on drug addiction. Furthermore, the proteins and biological processes highlighted here may provide valuable insight into the cellular activities and biological processes in neurons in the development of drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22911, USA
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19
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Intronic polymorphisms affecting alternative splicing of human dopamine D2 receptor are associated with cocaine abuse. Neuropsychopharmacology 2011; 36:753-62. [PMID: 21150907 PMCID: PMC3055737 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2010.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The dopamine receptor D2 (encoded by DRD2) is implicated in susceptibility to mental disorders and cocaine abuse, but mechanisms responsible for this relationship remain uncertain. DRD2 mRNA exists in two main splice isoforms with distinct functions: D2 long (D2L) and D2 short (D2S, lacking exon 6), expressed mainly postsynaptically and presynaptically, respectively. Two intronic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs rs2283265 (intron 5) and rs1076560 (intron 6)) in high linkage disequilibrium (LD) with each other have been reported to alter D2S/D2L splicing and several behavioral traits in human subjects, such as memory processing. To assess the role of DRD2 variants in cocaine abuse, we measured levels of D2S and D2L mRNA in human brain autopsy tissues (prefrontal cortex and putamen) obtained from cocaine abusers and controls, and genotyped a panel of DRD2 SNPs (119 abusers and 95 controls). Robust effects of rs2283265 and rs1076560 on reducing formation of D2S relative to D2L were confirmed. The minor alleles of rs2283265/rs1076560 were considerably more frequent in Caucasians (18%) compared with African Americans (7%). Also, in Caucasians, rs2283265/rs1076560 minor alleles were significantly overrepresented in cocaine abusers compared with controls (rs2283265: 25 to 9%, respectively; p=0.001; OR=3.4 (1.7-7.1)). Several SNPs previously implicated in diverse clinical association studies are in high LD with rs2283265/rs1076560 and could have served as surrogate markers. Our results confirm the role of rs2283265/rs1076560 in D2 alternative splicing and support a strong role in susceptibility to cocaine abuse.
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Romanova EV, Lee JE, Kelleher NL, Sweedler JV, Gulley JM. Mass spectrometry screening reveals peptides modulated differentially in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats with disparate initial sensitivity to cocaine. AAPS JOURNAL 2010; 12:443-54. [PMID: 20490734 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-010-9204-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/03/2010] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
To better understand why certain individuals are more vulnerable to cocaine abuse and addiction, we identify peptide markers associated with individual variation in sensitivity to the behavioral effects of cocaine. Previous studies in rats show that low, compared to high, cocaine responders are more sensitive to cocaine-induced behavioral plasticity (sensitization), exhibit enhanced conditioning to cocaine's rewarding effects, and are more motivated to self administer cocaine. In the current study, we combine matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry with multivariate statistical methods to analyze tissue extracts from rat dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to examine trends in peptide changes that coincide with behavioral phenotype. Peptide profiles of these three regions from individual animals were characterized via mass spectrometry. Resulting mass peaks that were statistically different between these groups were identified using principal component analysis. The mass peaks were then identified in pooled samples via multistage liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. A total of 74 peptides from 28 proteins were sequenced from defined brain regions. Statistically significant changes in peak intensities for seven peptides were found in the mPFC of rats given a single injection of 10 mg/kg cocaine, with low cocaine responders showing approximately 2-fold increase in peak intensities for the acetylated N terminus peptides of stathmin and Hint 1, as well as truncated ATP synthase. These results suggest that distinct peptide profiles in the mPFC are associated with individuals that exhibit reduced sensitivity to the behavioral effects of cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V Romanova
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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21
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Abstract
Substance use disorder is a chronic condition of compulsive drug seeking and use that is mediated by stable changes in central reward pathways. Repeated use of abused drugs causes persistent alterations in gene expression responsible for the long-term behavioral and structural changes. Recently, it has been suggested that epigenetic mechanisms are responsible in part for these drug-induced changes in gene expression. One of the alluring aspects of epigenetic regulation of gene expression is that epigenetic mechanisms may provide transient and potentially stable conditions that in turn may ultimately participate in the molecular mechanisms required for neuronal changes subserving long-lasting changes in behavior. This review describes epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation and then discusses the emerging role of epigenetics in drug-induced plasticity and behavior. Understanding these mechanisms that establish and maintain drug-dependent plasticity changes may lead to deeper understanding of substance use disorders as well as novel approaches to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcelo A. Wood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, 106 Bonney Research Lab, Irvine, CA 92697-3800 USA
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22
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Freeman WM, Lull ME, Patel KM, Brucklacher RM, Morgan D, Roberts DCS, Vrana KE. Gene expression changes in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens following abstinence from cocaine self-administration. BMC Neurosci 2010; 11:29. [PMID: 20187946 PMCID: PMC2837051 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-11-29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2009] [Accepted: 02/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many studies of cocaine-responsive gene expression have focused on changes occurring during cocaine exposure, but few studies have examined the persistence of these changes with cocaine abstinence. Persistent changes in gene expression, as well as alterations induced during abstinence may underlie long-lasting drug craving and relapse liability. Results Whole-genome expression analysis was conducted on a rat cocaine binge-abstinence model that has previously been demonstrated to engender increased drug seeking and taking with abstinence. Gene expression changes in two mesolimbic terminal fields (mPFC and NAc) were identified in a comparison of cocaine-naïve rats with rats after 10 days of cocaine self-administration followed by 1, 10, or 100 days of enforced abstinence (n = 6-11 per group). A total of 1,461 genes in the mPFC and 414 genes in the NAc were altered between at least two time points (ANOVA, p < 0.05; ± 1.4 fold-change). These genes can be subdivided into: 1) changes with cocaine self-administration that do not persist into periods of abstinence, 2) changes with cocaine self-administration that persist with abstinence, 3) and those not changed with cocaine self-administration, but changed during enforced abstinence. qPCR analysis was conducted to confirm gene expression changes observed in the microarray analysis. Conclusions Together, these changes help to illuminate processes and networks involved in abstinence-induced behaviors, including synaptic plasticity, MAPK signaling, and TNF signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willard M Freeman
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
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23
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Lull ME, Freeman WM, VanGuilder HD, Vrana KE. The use of neuroproteomics in drug abuse research. Drug Alcohol Depend 2010; 107:11-22. [PMID: 19926406 PMCID: PMC3947580 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2008] [Revised: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 10/15/2009] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The number of discovery proteomic studies of drug abuse has begun to increase in recent years, facilitated by the adoption of new techniques such as 2D-DIGE and iTRAQ. For these new tools to provide the greatest insight into the neurobiology of addiction, however, it is important that the addiction field has a clear understanding of the strengths, limitations, and drug abuse-specific research factors of neuroproteomic studies. This review outlines approaches for improving animal models, protein sample quality and stability, proteome fractionation, data analysis, and data sharing to maximize the insights gained from neuroproteomic studies of drug abuse. For both the behavioral researcher interested in what proteomic study results mean, and for biochemists joining the drug abuse research field, a careful consideration of these factors is needed. Similar to genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic methods, appropriate use of new proteomic technologies offers the potential to provide a novel and global view of the neurobiological changes underlying drug addiction. Proteomic tools may be an enabling technology to identify key proteins involved in drug abuse behaviors, with the ultimate goal of understanding the etiology of drug abuse and identifying targets for the development of therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda E. Lull
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Willard M. Freeman
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA, Functional Genomics Facility, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | | | - Kent E. Vrana
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA,Corresponding author at: Department of Pharmacology, R130, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. Tel.: +1 717 531 8285; fax: +1 717 531 0419. (K.E. Vrana)
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Zhou H, Huang C, Yang M, Landel CP, Xia PY, Liu YJ, Xia XG. Developing tTA transgenic rats for inducible and reversible gene expression. Int J Biol Sci 2009; 5:171-81. [PMID: 19214245 PMCID: PMC2640494 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.5.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2009] [Accepted: 01/28/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To develop transgenic lines for conditional expression of desired genes in rats, we generated several lines of the transgenic rats carrying the tetracycline-controlled transactivator (tTA) gene. Using a vigorous, ubiquitous promoter to drive the tTA transgene, we obtained widespread expression of tTA in various tissues. Expression of tTA was sufficient to strongly activate its reporter gene, but was below the toxicity threshold. We examined the dynamics of Doxycycline (Dox)-regulated gene expression in transgenic rats. In the two transmittable lines, tTA-mediated activation of the reporter gene was fully subject to regulation by Dox. Dox dose-dependently suppressed tTA-activated gene expression. The washout time for the effects of Dox was dose-dependent. We tested a complex regime of Dox administration to determine the optimal effectiveness and washout duration. Dox was administered at a high dose (500 μg/ml in drinking water) for two days to reach the effective concentration, and then was given at a low dose (20 μg/ml) to maintain effectiveness. This regimen of Dox administration can achieve a quick switch between ON and OFF statuses of tTA-activated gene expression. In addition, administration of Dox to pregnant rats fully suppressed postnatal tTA-activated gene expression in their offspring. Sufficient levels of Dox are present in mother's milk to produce maximal efficacy in nursing neonates. Administration of Dox to pregnant or nursing rats can provide a continual suppression of tTA-dependent gene expression during embryonic and postnatal development. The tTA transgenic rat allows for inducible and reversible gene expression in the rat; this important tool will be valuable in the development of genetic rat models of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy & Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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