Nitric oxide and histone deacetylases modulate cocaine-induced mu-opioid receptor levels in PC12 cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cocaine exposure has been reported to alter central μ-opioid receptor (MOR) expression in vivo. The present study employed an in vitro cellular model to explore possible mechanisms that may be involved in this action of cocaine.

Methods

To assess the effects of cocaine on MOR levels, two treatment regimens were tested in PC12 cells: single continuous or multiple intermittent. MOR protein levels were assessed by western blot analysis and quantitative PCR was used to determine relative MOR mRNA expression levels. To evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) and histone acetylation in cocaine-induced MOR expression, cells were pre-treated with the NO synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) or the non-selective histone acetyltransferase inhibitor curc

SUBMITTER: Winick-Ng W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3520874 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature