Cocaine-induced intracellular signaling and gene expression are oppositely regulated by the dopamine D1 and D3 receptors.

ABSTRACT: Repeated exposure to cocaine can induce neuroadaptations in the brain. One mechanism by which persistent changes occur involves alterations in gene expression mediated by the dopamine receptors. Both the dopamine D1 and D3 receptors have been shown to mediate gene expression changes. Moreover, the D1 and D3 receptors are also coexpressed in the same neurons, particularly in the nucleus accumbens and also caudoputamen (CPu). Little is known however, whether these two receptors coordinately regulate gene expression after cocaine administration and the underlying mechanisms. We have used various gene mutant mice to address this issue. We show that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and c-fos induction in the CPu in response to acute cocaine administration is mediated by th

SUBMITTER: Zhang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6730011 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature