Differences in the kappa opioid receptor mRNA content in distinct brain regions of two inbred mice strains

Neuroreport
A Winkler, R Spanagel

Abstract

The inbred C57BL/6 mouse strain is known to prefer an ethanol solution in a two-bottle choice procedure, whereas the inbred DBA/2 mouse strain avoids drinking ethanol in this paradigm. The genetic basis of this behavior is still unclear but the endogenous opioid system is one of the factors thought to be involved. Therefore, we were interested to see if there are basal differences between the two lines of mice in the kappa opioid receptor (kappa OR) mRNA content in different brain regions. Because of the low expression level of this gene and the limited amount of tissue we developed a sensitive competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for evaluation of levels of kappa OR mRNA in brain tissue. In septum and hypothalamus the DBA/2 mice showed a significantly higher basal level of kappa OR mRNA than did C57BL/6 mice. It is suggested that a difference in basal amount of kappa OR mRNA among these strains could lead to differences in kappa OR activity and subsequently to variations between the strains in distinct behaviors such as in ethanol preference.

References

Nov 1, 1992·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·A RichardsonE A Barnard
Mar 15, 1992·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·R SpanagelT S Shippenberg
Jan 1, 1988·Life Sciences·C SandiC Guaza
Dec 1, 1982·Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior·K W LockeS G Holtzman
May 1, 1993·Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry·F R George
Jan 1, 1997·Psychopharmacology·A Herz
Dec 12, 1997·Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research·N T Jamensky, C Gianoulakis

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 8, 2000·Alcohol·C VadaszC Vadasz
Jan 1, 2011·Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience·J Casellas
Sep 22, 2012·Addiction Biology·Ildikó RáczAndreas Zimmer
Dec 28, 1999·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·F ChenC P Austin
Jun 8, 2002·Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids·B S Basavarajappa, B L Hungund
Dec 1, 2004·Alcohol and Alcoholism : International Journal of the Medical Council on Alcoholism·Travis J Worst, Kent E Vrana
May 18, 2005·Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research·Krisztina M KovacsCsaba Vadasz
Aug 23, 2006·Molecular Psychiatry·X XueiH J Edenberg
May 2, 2003·The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics·Olga PolMargarita M Puig
Aug 7, 2013·Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official Publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine·Su Jin KimEvan D Morris

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.