D1R/PP2A/p-CaMKIIα signaling in the caudate putamen is involved in acute methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion.

Drug addiction is underscored by the transition from experimental use to dependent use of addictive drugs. Acute use of methamphetamine (METH) causes a range of clinical symptoms, including hyperlocomotion. Dopamine D1 receptor (D1R)-mediated negative regulation of phosphorylated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα (p-CaMKIIα, threonine [Thr] 286) is involved in the acute effects induced by single METH administration. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a potential bridge that links D1R and p-CaMKIIα (Thr 286) after acute METH administration. However, the mechanisms underlying hyperlocomotion induced by single METH administration remain unclear. In this study, SCH23390 (a D1R inhibitor) and LB100 (a PP2A inhibitor) were administered to examine the involvement of D1R and PP2A signaling in acute METH-induced hyperlocomotion in mice. The protein levels of methylated PP2A-C (m-PP2A-C, leucine [Leu] 309), phosphorylated PP2A-C (p-PP2A-C, tyrosine [Tyr] 307), PP2A-C, p-CaMKIIα (Thr 286), and CaMKIIα in the prefrontal cortex (PFc), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and caudate putamen (CPu) were measured. Administration of 0.5 mg/kg SCH23390 reversed the acute METH-induced increase in protein levels of m-PP2A-C (Leu 309) and the decrease in protein levels of p-PP2A-C (Tyr 307) in the CPu, but not in the PFC and NAc. Moreover, prior administration of 0.1 mg/kg LB100 attenuated hyperlocomotion induced by single METH administration and reversed the decrease in protein levels of p-CaMKII (Thr 286) in the PFC, NAc, and CPu. Collectively, these results indicate that the D1R/PP2A/p-CaMKIIα signaling cascade in the CPu may be involved in hyperlocomotion after a single administration of METH.