Dopamine receptors oppositely regulate cocaine-induced transcription factor CREB activation.
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of dopamine receptors in the regulation of the activity of transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) after cocaine treatment.


METHODS
By using dopamine receptor antagonists SCH23390 and nafadotride, the activation of CREB by D1 and D3 dopamine receptors after cocaine treatment and role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in cocaine-induced CREB activation were examined by Western blotting, which was also employed for determination of the effect of SCH23390 and nafadotride on CREB activation.


RESULTS
D1 receptor antagonist could inhibit cocaine-induced CREB activation, while D3 receptor antagonist enhanced cocaine-induced CREB activation. Dopamine receptor antagonists SCH23390 and nafadotride did not induce CREB activation. SL327, a MEK inhibitor, inhibited cocaine-induced CREB activation.


CONCLUSIONS
D1 and D3 dopamine receptors can oppositely regulate CREB activation after cocaine treatment and this regulation depends on ERK signaling pathway.
Liu
Nu-yun
NY
Institute of Molecular Immunology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. yunnuliu@fimmu.com
Zhang
Lin
L
Wang
Xiao-ning
XN
Zhang
Lu
L
D000818:Animals; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D011759:Pyrrolidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D001552:Benzazepines; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D009281:Naphthalenes; D011759:Pyrrolidines; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D003042:Cocaine; C097285:nafadotride