Single and repeated morphine administrations differently regulate expression of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor gene in the rat brain.
The present study investigated the potential effects of single and repeated morphine treatments on gene expression of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive protein, a key regulatory protein of neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. After a single morphine injection (10 mg/kg), N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor gene expression increased significantly in the cortex, hippocampus and periaqueductal gray. In contrast, N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor gene expression was not changed after repeated morphine exposures in these brain regions. Sixteen hours after cessation of repeated morphine administration, N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor mRNA level increased again to a level approximate to that of the single morphine injection group in the hippocampus, periaqueductal gray and cerebral cortex. These findings suggest that the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor may be involved in the maladaptive changes in the nervous system after opiate treatment.
Li
Haohong
H
Pharmacology Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Zhou
Yuqing
Y
Kang
Lin
L
Ma
Lan
L
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D052066:N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D009294:Narcotics; D009020:Morphine; D052066:N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Proteins; C498737:Nsf protein, rat