Regulation of AP-1 gene transcription factor binding activity in the rat brain during nicotine dependence.
The effects of acute and chronic nicotine treatment on activator protein-1 (AP-1) gene transcription factor binding activity in the rat cortex were investigated. AP-1 DNA binding activity was determined by the electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay. It was observed that 1 h after acute nicotine treatment (single injection) AP-1 DNA binding activity was significantly increased in the rat cortex. On the other hand, AP-1 DNA binding activity in the rat cortex was not altered at 1 and 8 h of nicotine withdrawal after repeated nicotine treatment (10 days). However, at 18 and 24 h of nicotine withdrawal after 10 days of nicotine treatment, AP-1 DNA binding activity was significantly decreased in the rat cortex. Thus, these findings suggest that desensitization of cortical AP-1 DNA binding activity may be involved in the neuroadaptational mechanisms to nicotine dependence.
D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000378:metabolism*