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Striatal microRNA controls cocaine intake through CREB signalling.

ABSTRACT: Cocaine addiction is characterized by a gradual loss of control over drug use, but the molecular mechanisms regulating vulnerability to this process remain unclear. Here we report that microRNA-212 (miR-212) is upregulated in the dorsal striatum of rats with a history of extended access to cocaine. Striatal miR-212 decreases responsiveness to the motivational properties of cocaine by markedly amplifying the stimulatory effects of the drug on cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signalling. This action occurs through miR-212-enhanced Raf1 activity, resulting in adenylyl cyclase sensitization and increased expression of the essential CREB co-activator TORC (transducer of regulated CREB; also known as CRTC). Our findings indicate that striatal miR-212 signalling has a key role in determining vulnerability to cocaine addiction, reveal new molecular regulators that control the complex actions of cocaine in brain reward circuitries and provide an entirely new direction for the development of anti-addiction therapeutics based on the modulation of noncoding RNAs.

SUBMITTER: Hollander JA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2916751 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Striatal microRNA controls cocaine intake through CREB signalling.

Hollander Jonathan A JA Im Heh-In HI Amelio Antonio L AL Kocerha Jannet J Bali Purva P Lu Qun Q Willoughby David D Wahlestedt Claes C Conkright Michael D MD Kenny Paul J PJ

Nature 20100701 7303

Cocaine addiction is characterized by a gradual loss of control over drug use, but the molecular mechanisms regulating vulnerability to this process remain unclear. Here we report that microRNA-212 (miR-212) is upregulated in the dorsal striatum of rats with a history of extended access to cocaine. Striatal miR-212 decreases responsiveness to the motivational properties of cocaine by markedly amplifying the stimulatory effects of the drug on cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signallin ...[more]

PMID: 20613834

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Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate many basic aspects of cell biology including neuronal plasticity, but little is known of their roles in drug addiction. Extended access to cocaine can trigger the emergence of compulsive drug-seeking behaviors, but molecular mechanisms regulating this process remain unclear. Here we report that microRNA-212 (miR-212) is upregulated in the dorsal striatum of rats with extended access to cocaine. Striatal overexpression of miR-212 decreases, whereas its inhibition increases cocaine intake in rats with extended but not restricted drug access, suggesting that miR-212 serves as a protective factor against the development of compulsive drug seeking. The transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) is considered a core regulator of cocaine reward. We show that miR-212 controls responsiveness to cocaine by dramatically amplifying striatal CREB signaling. This action occurs through miR-212-enhanced Raf-1 activity, resulting in adenylyl cyclase sensitization and increased expression of the essential CREB co-activator TORC (Transducer of Regulated CREB; also known as CRTC). Our findings suggest that striatal miR-212 signaling plays a key role in vulnerability to addiction, and that noncoding RNAs such as the miRNAs may serve as novel targets for the development of anti-addiction therapeutics. To identify potential targets for miR-212, we transfected cells with a vector to overexpress miR-212 or an empty vector. We then analyzed profiled gene expression using Affymetrix arrays. Human Affymetrix Study: Cells were transfected with a vector to overexpress miR-212 or an empty vector. We then analyzed profiled gene expression using Affymetrix arrays. The complete, unfiltered set of signal intensity data for Samples miR-212 and pMIF, including miR-212/pMIF ratios, are in the supplementary file at the foot of the record. Probes excluded from analysis (pMIF intensity <100) are indicated in the supplementary file by a no in the far-right column, 'Passed data filtering and included in analysis: no/yes'. Probes that were included in the analyses (pMIF intensity >100) are indicated in the supplementary file by a yes in the 'Passed data filtering and included in analysis: no/yes' column. Rat miRNA Study: Rats were permitted access to intravenous cocaine self-administration (0.5 mg/kg/infusion) for 7 consecutive days during restricted (1-h) or extended (6-h) daily sessions. Control rats remained coaine-naïve throughout. 24-h after the last session the dorsal striatum from each rats was removed, and RNA extracted for microarray profiling. There was a total of n=6 rats per access condition. RNA from 2 rats per access condition were pooled on to arrays, for a total of 3 arrays per access condition, and 9 arrays in total.

Project description:ObjectiveContextual drug-associated memory precipitates craving and relapse in substance users, and the risk of relapse is a major challenge in the treatment of substance use disorders. Thus, understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of how this association memory is formed and maintained will inform future advances in the treatment of drug addiction. Brain endocannabinoids (eCBs) signalling has been associated with drug-induced neuroadaptations, but the role of lipases that mediate small lipid ligand biosynthesis and metabolism in regulating drug-associated memory has not been examined. Here, we explored how manipulation of the lipase fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which is involved in mediating the level of the lipid ligand anandamide (AEA), affects cocaine-associated memory formation.MethodsWe applied behavioural, pharmacological and biochemical methods to detect cocaine-associated memory formation, eCBs in the dorsal dentate gyrus (dDG), and the activity of related enzymes. We further examined the roles of abnormal FAAH activity and AEA-CB1R signalling in the regulation of cocaine-associated memory formation and granule neuron dendritic structure alterations in the dDG through Western blotting, electron microscopy and immunofluorescence.ResultsIn the present study, we found that cocaine induced a decrease in the level of FAAH in the dDG and increased the level of AEA. A high level of AEA activated cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1Rs) and further triggered CB1R signalling activation and granule neuron dendritic remodelling, and these effects were reversed by blockade of CB1Rs in the brain. Furthermore, inhibition of FAAH in the dDG markedly increased AEA levels and promoted cocaine-associated memory formation through CB1R signalling activation.ConclusionsTogether, our findings demonstrate that the lipase FAAH influences CB1R signalling activation and granule neuron dendritic structure alteration in the dDG by regulating AEA levels and that AEA and AEA metabolism play a key role in cocaine-associated memory formation. Manipulation of AEA production may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for drug addiction and relapse prevention.

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Striatal microRNA controls cocaine intake through CREB signalling.

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Striatal microRNA controls cocaine intake through CREB signalling.

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