To understand the biological basis of drug addiction, genetics and neuroscience are two very important elements. Towards this direction, the Pl's research development and training goals are to pursue the development and application of new methodologies based on gene targeting technology and in vivo animal models. In addition, drug abuse research related educational and severice activities have been incorporated into the proposal to further enhance Pl's career development. Agonist-induced opioid receptor phosphorylation is believed to be an important receptor regulatory process that promotes acute receptor desensitization, triggers internalization and recycling of the receptors, and participates the development of tolerance. However, this has not been demonstrated in neuronal systems and whole animals. Therefore, the proposed research plan is aimed to test the hypothesis that MOR phosphorylation is agonist-dependent as well as region or cell specific, and that the receptor's microconformation and cellular signaling components influence the extent of phosphorylation and the development of differential tolerance and dependence in vivo. Using primary culture of DRG neurons as a model, the PI proposes to examine the MOR phosphorylation pattern in DRG neuron and to evaluate its contribution to desensitization in and other receptor regulatory processes by using phosphorylation-deficient mutant receptor. The PI also proposes to determine the effect of receptor dimerization on MOR phosphorylation, exploring the possible contributions of receptor dimerization to the potential regional variation in receptor phosphorylation and the development of opioid tolerance. The PI further proposes to test the hypothesis in vivo by modifying the MOR phosphorylation status in animal through generating MOR phosphorylation-deficient mutant mice using a knock-in approach. A significance of the proposal is that the study is designed to understand the mechanism of opioid action in a physiologically relevant setting.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research (K02)
Project #
5K02DA018722-05
Application #
7618001
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDA1-EXL-T (18))
Program Officer
Lin, Geraline
Project Start
2005-04-01
Project End
2012-03-31
Budget Start
2009-04-01
Budget End
2012-03-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$127,948
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
188435911
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201
Wang, Xiao-Fei; Barbier, Elisabeth; Chiu, Yi-Ting et al. (2016) T394A Mutation at the ? Opioid Receptor Blocks Opioid Tolerance and Increases Vulnerability to Heroin Self-Administration in Mice. J Neurosci 36:10392-10403
Jackson, K J; Wang, J B; Barbier, E et al. (2013) The histidine triad nucleotide binding 1 protein is involved in nicotine reward and physical nicotine withdrawal in mice. Neurosci Lett 550:129-33
Jackson, K J; Wang, J B; Barbier, E et al. (2012) Acute behavioral effects of nicotine in male and female HINT1 knockout mice. Genes Brain Behav 11:993-1000
Barbier, Elisabeth; Wang, Jia Bei (2009) Anti-depressant and anxiolytic like behaviors in PKCI/HINT1 knockout mice associated with elevated plasma corticosterone level. BMC Neurosci 10:132
Liu, Qing; Puche, Adam C; Wang, Jia Bei (2008) Distribution and expression of protein kinase C interactive protein (PKCI/HINT1) in mouse central nervous system (CNS). Neurochem Res 33:1263-76
Barbier, Elisabeth; Zapata, Agustin; Oh, Eric et al. (2007) Supersensitivity to amphetamine in protein kinase-C interacting protein/HINT1 knockout mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 32:1774-82