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Alteration of G Protein Subclass mRNAs in Methamphetamine–Induced Behavioral Sensitization
Author(s) -
IWASA HIROTO,
KIKUCHI SHUICHI,
HASEGAWA SHUJI,
SUZUKI KAORI,
SATO TOSHIO
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1996.tb17435.x
Subject(s) - methamphetamine , alpha (finance) , neurochemical , messenger rna , striatum , sensitization , medicine , endocrinology , saline , biology , chemistry , neuroscience , psychology , biochemistry , gene , dopamine , developmental psychology , construct validity , psychometrics
SUMMARY Guanine nucleotide‐binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) play an obligatory role in the transmembrane signaling system and are concerned with the neurochemical basis of several psychiatric disorders. We examined the alteration in the mRNA levels of G protein subclasses (Gil α, Gi2 α and Go α) in behavioral sensitized rats using subchronic treatment with methamphetamine (MAP). Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats received intraperitoneal injections of MAP (4 mg/kg) or saline (control) once daily for 14 days. A remarkable increase in the levels of Gi2 α mRNA was observed in both sides of striatum at 48 hours after the last injection of MAP. The changes in the Gi2 α mRNA levels were not significant at two weeks after the last injection of MAP. The levels of Go α and Gil α mRNA were not changed at 48 hours and at two weeks after the last injection of MAP. These results suggest that the changes in the Gi2 mRNA level might be responsible for the reinforcement of the generation of stereotyped abnormal behavior by repeated administration of MAP rather than the persistence of the reverse tolerance phenomenon.