Posted Fri, Apr, 05,2013
Published today in Journal of Experimental Neuroscience is a new original research article by Reka Natarajan, Joseph W. Harding and John W. Wright. Read more about this paper below:
Title
A Role for Matrix Metalloproteinases in Nicotine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference and Relapse in Adolescent Female Rats
Abstract
Reconfiguration of extracellular matrix proteins appears to be necessary for the synaptic plasticity that underlies memory consolidation. The primary candidates involved in controlling this process are a family of endopeptidases called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); however, the potential role of MMPs in nicotine addiction-related memories has not been adequately tested. Present results indicate transient changes in hippocampal MMP-2, -3, and -9 expression following context dependent learning of nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Members of a CPP procedural control group also indicated similar MMP changes, suggesting that memory activation occurred in these animals as well. However, hippocampal MMP-9 expression was differentially elevated in members of the nicotine-induced CPP group on days 4 and 5 of training. Inhibition of MMPs using a broad spectrum MMP inhibitor (FN439) during nicotine-induced CPP training blocked the acquisition of CPP. Elevations in hippocampal and prefrontal cortex MMP-3 expression—but not MMP-2 and -9—accompanied reactivation of a previously learned drug related memory. Decreases in the actin regulatory cytoskeletal protein cortactin were measured in the HIP and PFC during the initial two days of acquisition of CPP; however, no changes were seen following re-exposure to the drug related environment. These results suggest that MMP-9 may be involved in facilitating the intracellular and extracellular events required for the synaptic plasticity underlying the acquisition of nicotine-induced CPP. Furthermore, MMP-3 appears to be important during re-exposure to the drug associated environment. However, rats introduced into the CPP apparatus and given injections of vehicle rather than nicotine during training also revealed a pattern of MMP expression similar to nicotine-induced CPP animals.
Click here to learn more about the article, download it and comment
Posted in: Articles Published
News Categories
Thu 08 Oct, 2015
Published This Week (5th - 9th October)Thu 08 Oct, 2015
Biomarker Insights Paper Endorsed by Editor in ChiefWed 07 Oct, 2015
Interview with Professor Jamie DaviesAs Editor-in-Chief of Biomarkers in Cancer I wanted to know what it is like to publish in my own journal. I have already published over 70 papers, so I knew what a range of other journals were like. I was impressed by the quality of the reviewers comments which made the paper so much better before it was accepted for publication. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the article went from acceptance to published, ...
Facebook Google+ Twitter
Pinterest Tumblr YouTube