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CREB modulates the functional output of nucleus accumbens neurons: a critical role of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) receptors.
- Source :
-
The Journal of biological chemistry [J Biol Chem] 2008 Feb 01; Vol. 283 (5), pp. 2751-60. Date of Electronic Publication: 2007 Nov 30. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons cycle between two states, a functionally inactive downstate and a functionally active upstate. Here, we show that activation of the transcription factor cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), a common molecular response to several drugs of abuse, increases both duration of the upstate and action potential firing during the upstate. This effect of CREB is mediated by enhanced N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) function: increased CREB activity increases both NMDAR-mediated synaptic currents and surface level of NMDARs, while inhibition of NMDARs abolishes the effect of CREB on upstate duration. Furthermore, mimicking the effect of CREB by pharmacological enhancement of NMDAR function in the NAc in vivo suppressed novelty- and cocaine-elicited locomotor activity. These findings suggest that by enhancing NMDAR-mediated synaptic transmission, CREB activation promotes the proportion of time NAc neurons spend in the upstate. This effect, along with the CREB enhancement of NAc membrane excitability (Dong, Y., Green, T., Saal, D., Marie, H., Neve, R., Nestler, E. J., and Malenka, R. C. (2006) Nat. Neurosci. 9, 475-477), may counteract drug-induced maladaptations in the NAc and thus ameliorate the addictive state.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Behavior, Animal physiology
Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein genetics
Electrophysiology
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials
Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
Neurons metabolism
Nucleus Accumbens cytology
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Recombinant Proteins genetics
Recombinant Proteins metabolism
Tissue Culture Techniques
Transfection
Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein metabolism
Nucleus Accumbens metabolism
Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0021-9258
- Volume :
- 283
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Journal of biological chemistry
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 18055458
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M706578200