Dopamine receptors oppositely regulate cocaine-induced transcription factor CREB activation / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the role of dopamine receptors in the regulation of the activity of transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) after cocaine treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using dopamine receptor antagonists SCH23390 and nafadotride, the activation of CREB by D1 and D3 dopamine receptors after cocaine treatment and role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in cocaine-induced CREB activation were examined by Western blotting, which was also employed for determination of the effect of SCH23390 and nafadotride on CREB activation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>D1 receptor antagonist could inhibit cocaine-induced CREB activation, while D3 receptor antagonist enhanced cocaine-induced CREB activation. Dopamine receptor antagonists SCH23390 and nafadotride did not induce CREB activation. SL327, a MEK inhibitor, inhibited cocaine-induced CREB activation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>D1 and D3 dopamine receptors can oppositely regulate CREB activation after cocaine treatment and this regulation depends on ERK signaling pathway.</p>