Alcohol Regulates BK Surface Expression via Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling.

ABSTRACT: It has been suggested that drug tolerance represents a form of learning and memory, but this has not been experimentally established at the molecular level. We show that a component of alcohol molecular tolerance (channel internalization) from rat hippocampal neurons requires protein synthesis, in common with other forms of learning and memory. We identify β-catenin as a primary necessary protein. Alcohol increases β-catenin, and blocking accumulation of β-catenin blocks alcohol-induced internalization in these neurons. In transfected HEK293 cells, suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling blocks ethanol-induced internalization. Conversely, activation of Wnt/β-catenin reduces BK current density. A point mutation in a putative glycogen synthase kinase phosophorylation site within the S10 regio

SUBMITTER: Velazquez-Marrero C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5059430 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature