Abstract
Dysfunctions affecting the connections of basal ganglia lead to major neurological and psychiatric disorders. We investigated levels of mRNA for three neurexins (Nrxn) and three neuroligins (Nlgn) in the globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra, in control conditions and after short-term exposure to cocaine. The expression of Nrxn2beta and Nlgn3 in the substantia nigra and Nlgn1 in the subthalamic nucleus depended on genetic background. The development of short-term cocaine appetence induced an increase in Nrxn3beta expression in the globus pallidus. Human NRXN3 has recently been linked to several addictions. Thus, NRXN3 adhesion molecules may play an important role in the synaptic plasticity of neurons involved in the indirect pathways of basal ganglia, in which they regulate reward-related learning.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
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Cocaine / adverse effects
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Cocaine-Related Disorders / metabolism*
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Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / adverse effects
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Gene Expression
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Globus Pallidus / drug effects
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Globus Pallidus / metabolism*
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Lasers
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Male
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Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis
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Membrane Proteins / drug effects
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Microdissection
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / biosynthesis*
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / drug effects
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Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / biosynthesis
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Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / drug effects
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Up-Regulation
Substances
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Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
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Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
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Membrane Proteins
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules
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RNA, Messenger
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neuroligin 1
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neuroligin 3
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Cocaine