Up-regulation of D3 dopamine receptor mRNA in the nucleus accumbens of human cocaine fatalities.
The effects of chronic cocaine use on D3 receptor mRNA expression in the human nucleus accumbens was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. D3 receptor/cyclophilin mRNA ratios in the nucleus accumbens were increased 6-fold in cocaine overdose victims as compared to age-matched and drug-free control subjects. This finding demonstrates that chronic cocaine exposure leads to adaptive increases in the expression of D3 receptor mRNA in a critical reward center in brain.
Segal
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DM
Department of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101, USA.
Moraes
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Mash
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D001344:Autopsy; D003042:Cocaine / Q000506:poisoning*; D017931:DNA Primers; D062787:Drug Overdose; D006801:Humans; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3; D012016:Reference Values; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D015854:Up-Regulation
D017931:DNA Primers; C493593:DRD3 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3; D003042:Cocaine