title: Cell type-specific pharmacology of NMDA receptors using masked MK801.
abstract: N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA-Rs) are ion channels that are important for synaptic plasticity, which is involved in learning and drug addiction. We show enzymatic targeting of an NMDA-R antagonist, MK801, to a molecularly defined neuronal population with the cell-type-selectivity of genetic methods and the temporal control of pharmacology. We find that NMDA-Rs on dopamine neurons are necessary for cocaine-induced synaptic potentiation, demonstrating that cell type-specific pharmacology can be used to dissect signaling pathways within complex brain circuits.
authors.affiliation: Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, United States.
authors.forename: Yunlei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, United States.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, United States.
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sternson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003042:Cocaine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D003042:Cocaine
keywords: NMDA receptor; biochemistry; cell type-specific pharmacology; cocaine; dopamine; mouse; neuroscience; synaptic plasticity