Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), an enzyme that hydrolyzes cyclic AMP (cAMP), plays the major role in the control of intracellular cAMP concentrations, particularly in neurons in the brain. The level of the cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) signaling cascade in the brain has been found inversely correlated with that of ethanol consumption in animal models. Given that inhibition of PDE4 enhances cAMP/PKA signaling, we hypothesize that PDE4 is a novel target for drugs that decrease ethanol consumption;inhibition of PDE4 reduces ethanol drinking. Our long-term goal is to develop novel, potent agents to treat alcoholism. The objectives of this proposal are to establish PDE4 as a viable target to reduce ethanol consumption. Therefore, we will first determine whether PDE4 inhibition decreases ethanol consumption. This will be accomplished by examining the effect of rolipram, a prototypical inhibitor of PDE4, on ethanol consumption in well recognized animal models of excessive alcohol drinking, including C57BL/6J mice and high alcohol-preferring mice (HAP2 and HAP3 lines). PDE4 activity and expression in brain regions of interest will be examined in HAP and low alcohol preferring (LAP) mice to see whether PDE4 is relevant in the genetic determination of ethanol preference. We will then examine the effect of rolipram on ethanol motivation using conditioned place preference (CPP) and conditioned taste aversion (CTA) tests in mice. Finally, we will further identify the role of PDE4 subtypes in the regulation of ethanol consumption using the two-bottle choice test in mice deficient in PDE4A, PDE4B, or PDE4D. Successfully completion of these experiments will not only establish the role of PDE4 in the regulation of ethanol consumption, but also identify PDE4B, which is the only PDE4 subtype expressed in the striatum and amygdala, as the major PDE4 subtype responsible for regulating ethanol consumption. The latter is particularly important given that PDE4B is not involved in nausea and emesis, the primary side effects of PDE4 inhibitors. The outcomes of the proposed studies will encourage and accelerate the development of selective inhibitors of PDE4B as novel treatment for alcoholism, which affect 18 million Americans. Therefore, the issue expected to be resolved in this proposal is of importance and considerable relevance to public health.

Public Health Relevance

Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), an enzyme that breaks down the second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP), is critical in the mediation of intracellular cAMP signaling, which is negatively correlated with alcohol intake. In our project, we will determine whether PDE4 blockers decrease alcohol drinking and which of the four PDE4 forms (PDE4-A, B, C, and D) is importantly involved in alcohol drinking. The outcomes of the proposed studies will encourage and aid in the development of selective blockers of PDE4B, which is enriched in brain regions regulating alcohol drinking, as novel treatment for alcoholism, which affects 18 million Americans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AA020042-02
Application #
8307288
Study Section
Health Services Research Review Subcommittee (AA)
Program Officer
Egli, Mark
Project Start
2011-08-01
Project End
2014-07-31
Budget Start
2012-08-01
Budget End
2014-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$175,750
Indirect Cost
$57,000
Name
West Virginia University
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
191510239
City
Morgantown
State
WV
Country
United States
Zip Code
26506
Wen, Rui-Ting; Zhang, Fang-Fang; Zhang, Han-Ting (2018) Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: potential therapeutic targets for alcohol use disorder. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 235:1793-1805
Wen, Rui-Ting; Feng, Wan-Yu; Liang, Jian-Hui et al. (2015) Role of phosphodiesterase 4-mediated cyclic AMP signaling in pharmacotherapy for substance dependence. Curr Pharm Des 21:355-64
Lai, Miaojun; Zhu, Huaqiang; Sun, Anna et al. (2014) The phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor rolipram attenuates heroin-seeking behavior induced by cues or heroin priming in rats. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 17:1397-407
Richter, Wito; Menniti, Frank S; Zhang, Han-Ting et al. (2013) PDE4 as a target for cognition enhancement. Expert Opin Ther Targets 17:1011-27
Wen, Rui-Ting; Zhang, Min; Qin, Wang-Jun et al. (2012) The phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor rolipram decreases ethanol seeking and consumption in alcohol-preferring Fawn-Hooded rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 36:2157-67
Hu, Wei; Lu, Tina; Chen, Alan et al. (2011) Inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 decreases ethanol intake in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 218:331-9