PUBLICATION

Sulpiride, but not SCH23390, modifies cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and elongation factor 1α in zebrafish

Authors
Darland, T., Mauch, J.T., Meier, E.M., Hagan, S.J., Dowling, J.E., and Darland, D.C.
ID
ZDB-PUB-120823-1
Date
2012
Source
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior   103(2): 157-167 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Darland, Tristan, Dowling, John E.
Keywords
zebrafish, addiction, dopamine, behavior, sulpride, SCH23390, tyrosine hydroxylase, elongation factor 1α
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Benzazepines/pharmacology*
  • Cocaine/toxicity*
  • DNA Primers
  • Dopamine Antagonists/pharmacology*
  • Peptide Elongation Factor 1/metabolism*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sulpiride/pharmacology*
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/metabolism*
  • Zebrafish
PubMed
22910534 Full text @ Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.
Abstract

Finding genetic polymorphisms and mutations linked to addictive behavior can provide important targets for pharmaceutical and therapeutic interventions. Forward genetic approaches in model organisms such as zebrafish provide a potentially powerful avenue for finding new target genes. In order to validate this use of zebrafish, the molecular nature of its reward system must be characterized. We have previously reported the use of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) as a reliable method for screening mutagenized fish for defects in the reward pathway. Here we test if CPP in zebrafish involves the dopaminergic system by co-treating fish with cocaine and dopaminergic antagonists. Sulpiride, a potent D2 receptor (DR2) antagonist, blocked cocaine-induced CPP, while the D1 receptor (DR1) antagonist SCH23390 had no effect. Acute cocaine exposure also induced a rise in the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), an important enzyme in dopamine synthesis, and a significant decrease in the expression of elongation factor 1α (EF1α), a housekeeping gene that regulates protein synthesis. Cocaine selectively increased the ratio of TH/EF1α in the telencephalon, but not in other brain regions. The cocaine-induced change in TH/EF1α was blocked by co-treatment with sulpiride, but not SCH23390, correlating closely with the action of these drugs on the CPP behavioral response. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the drop in EF1α was selective for the dorsal nucleus of the ventral telencephalic area (Vd), a region believed to be the teleost equivalent of the striatum. Examination of TH mRNA and EF1α transcripts suggests that regulation of expression is post-transcriptional, but this requires further examination. These results highlight important similarities and differences between zebrafish and more traditional mammalian model organisms.

Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping