Ethanol alters opioid regulation of Ca(2+) influx through L-type Ca(2+) channels in PC12 cells |
| |
Authors: | Gruol Donna L Nelson Thomas E Hao Christine Michael Sarah Vukojevic Vladana Ming Yu Terenius Lars |
| |
Affiliation: | Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. |
| |
Abstract: | Background: Studies at the behavioral and synaptic level show that effects of ethanol on the central nervous system can involve the opioid signaling system. These interactions may alter the function of a common downstream target. In this study, we examined Ca2+ channel function as a potential downstream target of interactions between ethanol and μ or κ opioid receptor signaling. Methods: The studies were carried out in a model system, undifferentiated PC12 cells transfected with μ or κ opioid receptors. The PC12 cells express L‐type Ca2+ channels, which were activated by K+ depolarization. Ca2+ imaging was used to measure relative Ca2+ flux during K+ depolarization and the modulation of Ca2+ flux by opioids and ethanol. Results: Ethanol, μ receptor activation, and κ receptor activation all reduced the amplitude of the Ca2+ signal produced by K+ depolarization. Pretreatment with ethanol or combined treatment with ethanol and μ or κ receptor agonists caused a reduction in the amplitude of the Ca2+ signal that was comparable to or smaller than that observed for the individual drugs alone, indicating an interaction by the drugs at a downstream target (or targets) that limited the modulation of Ca2+ flux through L‐type Ca2+ channels. Conclusions: These studies provide evidence for a cellular mechanism that could play an important role in ethanol regulation of synaptic transmission and behavior through interactions with the opioid signaling. |
| |
Keywords: | G Protein Ca2+ Imaging μ Opioid Receptor κ Opioid Receptor |
本文献已被 PubMed 等数据库收录! |
|