title: Strain differences in the expression of endocannabinoid genes and in cannabinoid receptor binding in the brain of Lewis and Fischer 344 rats.
abstract: The Lewis (LEW) and Fischer 344 (F344) rat strains have been proposed as a model to study certain genetic influences on drug use. These strains differ in terms of the self-administration of several drugs, and in their expression of various components of the dopaminergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic and endogenous opioid neurotransmitter systems. As the endocannabinoid system is linked to these systems, we investigated whether these two strains exhibit differences in cannabinoid receptor binding and in the expression of cannabinoid-related genes. Quantitative autoradiography of [(3)H]-CP 55,940 binding levels and real-time PCR assays were used. F344 rats displayed higher levels of cannabinoid receptor binding in the lateral globus pallidus and weaker CNR1 gene expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFc) than LEW rats. Moreover, the N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D/fatty acid amide hydrolase ratio was greater in the PFc and NAcc of F344 rats. Our results suggest that the endocannabinoid system may be a mediator of the individual differences that exist in the susceptibility to the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, UNED, C/ Juan del Rosal 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: smcoria@bec.uned.es.
authors.forename: Santiago M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Coria
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, UNED, C/ Juan del Rosal 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: droura1@alumno.uned.es.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roura-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, UNED, C/ Juan del Rosal 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: marcosucha@bec.uned.es.
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ucha
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, UNED, C/ Juan del Rosal 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: amparoassis@psi.uned.es.
authors.forename: María Amparo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Assis
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Psychology I, School of Psychology, UNED, C/ Juan del Rosal 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: mmiguens@psi.uned.es.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miguéns
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, UNED, C/ Juan del Rosal 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: cglecumberri@psi.uned.es.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Lecumberri
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, UNED, C/ Juan del Rosal 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: ahiguera@psi.uned.es.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Higuera-Matas
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, School of Psychology, UNED, C/ Juan del Rosal 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: eambrosio@psi.uned.es.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
mesh_terms: D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010739:Phospholipase D / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D011859:Radiography; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity; D014316:Tritium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases
chemical_list: D000581:Amidohydrolases; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase; D010739:Phospholipase D; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D014316:Tritium; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases; C568825:GPR55 protein, rat; C054649:3-(2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl)-4-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexanol; C527163:Napepld protein, rat
keywords: CNR1; Endocannabinoid system; FAAH; Lewis and Fischer 344 rats; NAPE-PLD