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Updated: Jun 11, 2026
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Stereotaxic Microinjection of Viral Vectors Expressing Cre Recombinase to Study the Role of Target Genes in Cocaine Conditioned Place Preference
Published on: July 30, 2013
Striatal microRNA controls cocaine intake through CREB signalling
Jonathan A Hollander1, Heh-In Im, Antonio L Amelio
1Laboratory of Behavioral and Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Therapeutics, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, Florida 33458, USA.
Nature
|July 9, 2010
Summary
MicroRNA-212 (miR-212) in the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Cocaine addiction involves a progressive loss of control over drug use.
- The underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to cocaine vulnerability are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microRNA-212 (miR-212) in the molecular regulation of cocaine addiction vulnerability.
- To elucidate the signaling pathways influenced by miR-212 in the dorsal striatum related to cocaine's effects.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of miR-212 levels in the dorsal striatum of rats with extended cocaine access.
- Investigation of miR-212's impact on cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathways.
- Assessment of miR-212's influence on Raf1 activity, adenylyl cyclase, and TORC expression.
Main Results:
- Upregulation of miR-212 was observed in the dorsal striatum following extended cocaine exposure.
- Striatal miR-212 was found to reduce sensitivity to cocaine's motivational effects.
- miR-212 amplifies CREB signaling via enhanced Raf1 activity, leading to increased TORC expression.
Conclusions:
- Striatal miR-212 signaling plays a critical role in cocaine addiction vulnerability.
- This study identifies novel molecular regulators of cocaine's action in brain reward circuits.
- Modulating noncoding RNAs, like miR-212, offers a new therapeutic avenue for addiction treatment.
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