Stress-induced epigenetic regulation of κ-opioid receptor gene involves transcription factor c-Myc.

ABSTRACT: Exposure to stress is associated with adverse emotional and behavioral responses. Whereas the κ-opioid receptor (KOR) system is known to mediate some of the effects, it is unclear whether and how stress affects epigenetic regulation of this gene. Because the KOR gene can use two promoters (Pr1 and Pr2) and two polyadenylation signals (PA1 and PA2), it is also interesting whether and how these distinct regulatory mechanisms are differentially modulated by stress. The current study examined the effects of stress on these different regulatory mechanisms of the KOR gene. Results showed that stress selectively increased the expression of KOR mRNA isoforms controlled by Pr1 and terminated at PA1 in specific brain areas including the medial-prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, brainstem, and sensorimo

SUBMITTER: Flaisher-Grinberg S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3384167 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature