This is a competitive renewal application focused on the role of the mGluR5-PKC5 signaling pathway in ethanol self-administration and reinstatement of ethanol-seeking behavior. During the current funding period, we have demonstrated that this signaling pathway is an important mediator of voluntary ethanol intake in rodents. mGluR5 receptors are biochemically coupled to PKC5 activity, and antagonists of mGluR5 receptors reduce ethanol consumption in wildtype mice but not mice lacking PKC5. We have developed a model of intravenous (i.v.) ethanol self-administration in the rat that is amenable to pharmacological manipulation of ethanol reinforcement as well as the study of reinstatement of ethanol seeking behavior, a widely used model of relapse. Using this model, we have identified the nucleus accumbens (NAc) as a critical brain region that is involved in the regulation of ethanol self-administration by signaling between mGluR5 and PKC5. Finally, we have generated novel preliminary data showing that PKC5 mediates phosphorylation of the mGluR5 receptor, which we hypothesize plays a role in regulating the ligand binding properties and surface expression of this receptor. In this renewal application, we will further examine the reciprocal signaling between mGluR5 and PKC5 as well as the neural circuitry where this signaling pathway regulates ethanol self-administration and reinstatement of ethanol-seeking behavior.
In Specific Aim 1, we will examine the regulation of mGluR5 receptor function by PKC5. Specifically, we will examine changes in the ligand binding properties and cell surface expression of mGluR5 receptors in the dorsal and ventral striatum following intracerebroventricular administration of the PKC5 translocation inhibitor myr-5V1-2.
In Specific Aim 2, we will examine the neural circuitry where mGluR5-PKC5 signaling mediates ethanol reinforcement. This will be examined by measuring i.v. ethanol self-administration following microinjection of the selective mGluR5 antagonist MTEP alone and in combination with the PKC5 translocation inhibitor myr-5V1-2 into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) or medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), regions that are known to mediate the reinforcing effects of ethanol.
In Specific Aim 3, we will examine the neural circuitry whereby mGluR5-PKC5 signaling mediates cue-induced reinstatement of ethanol-seeking behavior. This will be examined by measuring cue-evoked ethanol-seeking following microinjection of the selective mGluR5 antagonist MTEP alone and in combination with the PKC5 translocation inhibitor myr-5V1-2 into the VTA or basolateral amygdala (BLA), regions that are known to mediate stimulus- reward associations. Together, the proposed studies will provide insight into the bidirectional crosstalk between mGluR5 and PKC5 and the role this signaling pathway plays in ethanol self-administration and cue-evoked relapse-like behavior, which will hopefully lead to improved treatments for alcoholism and other alcohol use disorders.

Public Health Relevance

The goal of this proposal is to investigate the role of mGluR5-PKC5 signaling in the regulation of ethanol consumption and relapse in rodents. Further understanding of the contributions of mGluR5 and PKC5 signaling to these behaviors will hopefully translate into improved therapies for the treatment of alcoholism in humans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA013852-07
Application #
7821460
Study Section
Neurotoxicology and Alcohol Study Section (NAL)
Program Officer
Grakalic, Ivana
Project Start
2003-02-01
Project End
2010-06-30
Budget Start
2010-05-01
Budget End
2010-06-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$62,688
Indirect Cost
Name
Medical University of South Carolina
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
183710748
City
Charleston
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29425
Schwendt, Marek; Olive, M Foster (2017) Protein kinase C? activity regulates mGluR5 surface expression in the rat nucleus accumbens. J Neurosci Res 95:1079-1090
Steffensen, Scott C; Shin, Samuel I; Nelson, Ashley C et al. (2017) ?6 subunit-containing nicotinic receptors mediate low-dose ethanol effects on ventral tegmental area neurons and ethanol reward. Addict Biol :
Olive, Michael F (2015) Neurokinin-1 (NK?) receptor antagonists as possible therapeutics for psychostimulant use disorders. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 14:700-6
LaCrosse, Amber L; Taylor, Sara B; Nemirovsky, Natali E et al. (2015) mGluR5 Positive and Negative Allosteric Modulators Differentially Affect Dendritic Spine Density and Morphology in the Prefrontal Cortex. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 14:476-85
Kufahl, Peter R; Watterson, Lucas R; Olive, M Foster (2014) The development of acamprosate as a treatment against alcohol relapse. Expert Opin Drug Discov 9:1355-69
Gass, Justin T; Trantham-Davidson, Heather; Kassab, Amanda S et al. (2014) Enhancement of extinction learning attenuates ethanol-seeking behavior and alters plasticity in the prefrontal cortex. J Neurosci 34:7562-74
Carrara-Nascimento, Priscila F; Lopez, Marcelo F; Becker, Howard C et al. (2013) Similar ethanol drinking in adolescent and adult C57BL/6J mice after chronic ethanol exposure and withdrawal. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 37:961-8
Yahn, Stephanie L; Watterson, Lucas R; Olive, M Foster (2013) Safety and efficacy of acamprosate for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Subst Abuse 6:1-12
Cleva, Richard M; Olive, M Foster (2012) mGlu receptors and drug addiction. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Membr Transp Signal 1:281-295
Olive, M Foster (2012) Ethanol, glutamate, and the ventral tegmental area--a commentary on: Ding, Engleman, Rodd, and McBride, ""ethanol increases glutamate neurotransmission in the posterior ventral tegmental area of female wistar rats"". Alcohol Clin Exp Res 36:970-1

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