[Cleavage of the deoxyribozyme targeting Period1 mRNA in vitro and its effects on morphine-induced reward in mice].

Objective: To study the cleavage of the deoxyribozyme targeting Period1 (Per1) mRNA in vitro and its effect on the opiate-induced reward in mice.

Method: The specific deoxyribozyme (DRz164) targeting Per1 mRNA was designed after MFold analysis and being synthesized chemically. The cleavage reactions containing DRz164 and Per1 RNA fragments transcripted in vitro were performed under certain conditions. DIG Nucleic Acid Detection Kit was used to detect the cleavage activity of DRz164. The morphine-induced reward in mice was observed in a conditioned place preference test after pretreatment with DRz164.

Result: When DRz164 and Per1 RNA transcripts were incubated under certain conditions with 37 degrees C for 30, 60, 90, and 120 min, about 36.4%, 40.5%, 47.8%, 63% of Per1 RNA transcripts were cleaved by DRz164 respectively. After pretreated with the deoxyribozyme, mice didn't show a morphine-induced place preference.

Conclusion: DRz164 targeting per1 mRNA has the specific cleavage activity which increases with the time in vitro. Suppression of morphine-induced place preference occurs by pretreatment with the deoxyribozyme. Mice show a lack of morphine-induced reward, which alleviates the psychic dependence on the morphine.