Fluoxetine modulates G protein alpha s, alpha q, and alpha 12 subunit mRNA expression in rat brain

Signal-transducing G proteins are central to the coordination of receptor-effector communication. We have explored the effects of long-term fluoxetine administration of G alpha s, G alpha i1, G alpha i2, G alpha o, G alpha q and G alpha 12 mRNA expression in various rat brain regions using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-mediated cross-species partial cDNA cloning. Northern blot analysis, and RNase protection assay techniques. Fluoxetine decreased G alpha s mRNA in midbrain, while mRNA expression of the novel G protein alpha subunits, G alpha q and G alpha 12, was increased in neostriatum and frontal cortex. We conclude that in addition to post-translational modification, regulation of G protein function by antidepressant drugs may occur at the level of gene expression.