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KMID : 0578319970070050682
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Molecules and Cells
1997 Volume.7 No. 5 p.682 ~ p.687
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Prolonged Ethanol Intake Increase D2 Dopamine Receptor Expression in the Rat Brain
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Kim, Myeong Ok
Lee, Young Ki/Choi, Wan sung/Kim, jin Hyun/hwang, Suk Kyeong/lee, Byung Ju/Kang, Sung Goo
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Abstract
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Dopamine via interaction with its receptor is known to be involved in the behavioral and endocrine actions in the mammalian brain. Behavioral effects produced by ethanol appear to be due to its actions on the dopaminergic system. In the present study using in situ hybridization histochemistry and RNase protection assay, the effect of prolonged ethanol intake on the expression of D ₂dopamine receptor mRNA was examined in the rat brain. Specific D ₁and D₂receptor mRNA signals were detected in the caudate putamen, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, hippocampus, dentate gyrus, and amygdaloid complex of the rat brain. Within the hypothalamus, the level of receptor mRNA was low in most nuclei with a somewhat higher level in the arcuate nucleus. Only the supurachiasmatic nucleus showed moderate to dense dopamine receptor mRNAs. Prefrontal cortex showed hybridization signals but their intensity was very low. A considerable amount of D₂mRNA was localized in the substantia nigra but D₁mRNA was not. Ethanol (10%) intake for 5 weeks increased both the density of hybridization signal and number of cells expressing D₂dopamine receptor mRNA in the caudate putamen, and nucleus accumbens, but not in the olfactory tubercle. RNase protection assay revealed about a 1.5-fold increase in the D₂dopamine receptor mRNA level in the corpus striatum. These results provide a basis for the involvement of dopamine D₂receptor expression in alcoholism.
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