G Protein‐Gated Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channel Subunit 3 Knock‐Out Mice Show Enhanced Ethanol Reward

Background G protein‐gated inwardly rectifying potassium ( GIRK ) channels contribute to the effects of a number of drugs of abuse, including ethanol. However, the roles of individual subunits in the rewarding effects of ethanol are poorly understood. Methods We compare conditioned place preference ( CPP ) in GIRK 3 subunit knock‐out ( GIRK 3 −/− ), heterozygote ( GIRK 3 +/− ), and wild‐type ( WT ) mice. In addition, the development of locomotor tolerance/sensitization and the effects of EtOH intoxication on associative learning (fear conditioning) are also assessed. Results Our data show significant EtOH CPP in GIRK 3 −/− and GIRK 3 +/− mice, but not in the WT littermates. In addition, we demonstrate that these effects are not due to differences in EtOH metabolism, the development of EtOH tolerance/sensitivity, or associative learning abilities. While there were no consistent genotype differences in the fear conditioning assay, our data do show a selective sensitization of the impairing effects of EtOH intoxication on contextual learning, but no effect on cued learning. Conclusions These findings suggest that GIRK 3 plays a role in EtOH reward. Furthermore, the selectivity of this effect suggests that GIRK channels could be an effective therapeutic target for the prevention and/or treatment of alcoholism.