Activation of multiple transcription factor genes by tetrahydrocannabinol in rat forebrain.
delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a major psychoactive component of cannabis. We have recently localized a receptor for THC in the forebrain and found in the caudate-putamen that its gene expression is modulated by glucocorticoids, dopamine and glutamate. Here, we report for the first time, using quantitative in situ hybridization, that acute THC (5 mg kg-1, i.p.) regulates the mRNA levels of multiple immediate early genes in the adult rat forebrain. Twenty minutes after a single THC injection, significant increases in concentration of the mRNAs for C-FOS, C-JUN and ZIF-268 were observed in the cingulate cortex (75, 45 and 37%) and for C-FOS and ZIF-268 in the fronto-parietal cortex (60 and 64%) and caudate-putamen (81 and 32%) while JUN-D mRNA levels were not changed. These transcription factor genes might mediate putative THC modulation of neurotransmitter gene expression.
Mailleux
P
P
Unité de Recherche sur le Cerveau, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
Verslype
M
M
Preud'homme
X
X
Vanderhaeghen
J J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D017781:Genes, Immediate-Early / Q000187:drug effects*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013759:Dronabinol