Premium
SNARE Complex‐Associated Proteins in the Lateral Amygdala of Macaca mulatta Following Long‐Term Ethanol Drinking
Author(s) -
Alexander Nancy J.,
Rau Andrew R.,
Jimenez Vanessa A.,
Daunais James B.,
Grant Kathleen A.,
McCool Brian A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/acer.13821
Subject(s) - amygdala , ethanol , neuroscience , psychology , biology , chemistry , biochemistry
Background Recent work with long‐term ethanol (EtOH) self‐administration in nonhuman primate models has revealed a complex array of behavioral and physiological effects that closely mimic human alcohol abuse. Detailed neurophysiological analysis in these models suggests a myriad of pre‐ and postsynaptic neurobiological effects that may contribute to the behavioral manifestations of long‐term EtOH drinking. The molecular mechanisms regulating presynaptic effects of this chronic EtOH exposure are largely unknown. To this end, we analyzed the effects of long‐term EtOH self‐administration on the levels of presynaptic SNARE complex proteins in Macaca mulatta basolateral amygdala, a brain region known to regulate both aversive and reward‐seeking behaviors. Methods Basolateral amygdala samples from control and EtOH‐drinking male and female monkeys were processed. Total basolateral amygdala protein was analyzed by Western blotting using antibodies directed against both core SNARE and SNARE‐associated proteins. We also performed correlational analyses between protein expression levels and a number of EtOH drinking parameters, including lifetime grams of EtOH consumed, preference, and blood alcohol concentration. Results Significant interactions or main effects of sex/drinking were seen for a number of SNARE core and SNARE‐associated proteins. Across the range of EtOH‐drinking phenotypes, SNAP25 and Munc13‐1 proteins levels were significantly different between males and females, and Munc13‐2 levels were significantly lower in animals with a history of EtOH drinking. A separate analysis of very heavy‐drinking individuals revealed significant decreases in Rab3c (females) and complexin 2 (males). Conclusions Protein expression analysis of basolateral amygdala total protein from controls and animals following long‐term EtOH self‐administration suggests a number of alterations in core SNARE or SNARE‐associated components that could dramatically alter presynaptic function. A number of proteins or multiprotein components were also correlated with EtOH drinking behavior, which suggest a potentially heritable role for presynaptic SNARE proteins.