Gene expression of opioid and dopamine systems in mouse striatum: effects of CB1 receptors, age and sex.

Rationale: Endocannabinoid, opioid, and dopamine systems interact to exhibit cannabinoid receptor neuromodulation of opioid peptides and D(4) dopamine receptor gene expression in CB(1)-cannabinoid-deficient mouse striatum.

Objective: Using CB(1)-transgenic mice, we examine primary age-sex influences and interactions on opioid and dopamine system members' gene expression in striatum.

Materials And Methods: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze gene expression of opioid peptides [preproenkephalin (PPENK); preprodynorphin (PPDYN)], opioid receptors [delta-opioid receptor (delta-OR); mu-opioid receptor (micro-OR)] and dopamine receptor subtypes (D(1) through D(5)) in male/female CB(1)(+/+)/CB(1)(-/-) mice striata at two adult ages [young (60-90 days); old (140-300 days)].

Glucocorticoids plus opioids up-regulate genes that influence neuronal function.

(1) This study investigated the functional genomics of glucocorticoid and opioid receptor stimulation in cellular adaptations using a cultured neuronal cell model. (2) Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells grown in hormone-depleted serum were treated for 2-days with the glucocorticoid receptor-II agonist dexamethasone (30 nM); the mu-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-Enkephalin acetate (DAMGO; 1 nM); or dexamethasone (30 nM) plus DAMGO (1 nM). RNA was extracted; purified, reverse transcribed, and labeled cDNA was hybridized to a 10,000-oliogonucleotide-array human gene chip.

Drama-based education to motivate participation in substance abuse prevention.

Background: The substance abuse prevention goal of the theatre production "TUNNELS" was to provide community education on substance abuse to an audience in Durham, NC and surrounding communities. The education effort intended to increase awareness and understanding of the risk and protective factors associated with alcohol and other drug use, and to promote pro-active behaviors in substance abuse prevention within the adult community. It was hypothesized that community-based education via drama would change attitudes toward alcohol and substance abuse, and increase participation in family and community activities aimed at substance abuse prevention.

CB1 knockout mice display significant changes in striatal opioid peptide and D4 dopamine receptor gene expression.

Antagonism of the CB(1) cannabinoid receptor (CB(1) receptor) by rimonabant (SR141716) reduces self-administration of alcohol and other drugs of abuse in animal models. These findings suggest that the CB(1) receptor may be a target for genetic differences that modify the salient features of rewarding drugs. In the present study, wild-type (CB(1) (+/+)) are compared to transgenic mice deficient in CB(1) receptors (CB(1) (-/-)).

Increases in preproenkephalin mRNA levels in the Syrian hamster: the influence of glucocorticoids is dependent on age and tissue.

In adult hamsters, basal proenkephalin (Penk) gene expression in adrenals is independent of glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid receptor blockade, by RU 486, increases striatal preproenkephalin (PPenk) mRNA levels. However, glucocorticoids maintain both basal and induced Penk gene expression in rat adrenal (medulla) and striatum. This suggests species and tissue-specific differences in Penk gene regulation.