Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
4-12-2017
Journal
Elife
Volume
6
DOI
10.7554/eLife.23785
Keywords
Animals; Female; GABAergic Neurons; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Stress, Physiological; Synapses; Ventral Tegmental Area
Abstract
Stressful experiences potently activate kappa opioid receptors (κORs). κORs in the ventral tegmental area regulate multiple aspects of dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic cell function. Here we show that at GABAergic synapses on rat VTA dopamine neurons, a single exposure to a brief cold-water swim stress induces prolonged activation of κORs. This is mediated by activation of the receptor during the stressor followed by a persistent, ligand-independent constitutive activation of the κOR itself. This lasting change in function is not seen at κORs at neighboring excitatory synapses, suggesting distinct time courses and mechanisms of regulation of different subsets of κORs. We also provide evidence that constitutive activity of κORs governs the prolonged reinstatement to cocaine-seeking observed after cold water swim stress. Together, our studies indicate that stress-induced constitutive activation is a novel mechanism of κOR regulation that plays a critical role in reinstatement of drug seeking.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
APA Citation
Polter, A., Barcomb, K., Chen, R., Dingess, P., Graziane, N., Brown, T., & Kauer, J. (2017). Constitutive Activation of Kappa Opioid Receptors at Ventral Tegmental Area Inhibitory Synapses Following Acute Stress.. Elife, 6 (). http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23785
Peer Reviewed
1
Open Access
1
Included in
Medical Pharmacology Commons, Medical Physiology Commons, Pharmacology Commons, Physiology Commons
Comments
Reproduced with permission of eLife Sciences Publications Ltd. Constitutive activation of kappa opioid receptors at ventral tegmental area inhibitory synapses following acute stress