Distribution of opioid peptide gene expression in the limbic system of Fawn-Hooded (alcohol-preferring) and Wistar-Kyoto (alcohol-non-preferring) rats.
Preprodynorphin and preproenkephalin mRNA expression was examined in the CNS of two rat strains, the alcohol-preferring Fawn-Hooded (FH) and the alcohol-non-preferring Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), using in situ hybridisation histochemistry. Relative to the WKY, the FH showed significantly lower levels of preproenkephalin mRNA in the striatum and nucleus accumbens (-24% and -17% respectively), but a higher level of preprodynorphin mRNA in the hippocampus (+33%). The depressed level of preproenkephalin mRNA in the nucleus accumbens may be implicated in alcohol-seeking behaviour.
Cowen
M S
MS
Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia. cowenm@its-med.cc.monash.edu.au
Rezvani
A
A
Jarrott
B
B
Lawrence
A J
AJ
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D004399:Dynorphins / Q000235:genetics*; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008032:Limbic System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D004745:Enkephalins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C036448:pre-prodynorphin; D004399:Dynorphins; C033660:preproenkephalin