Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026
07:25
Identification of Dopamine D1-Alpha Receptor Within Rodent Nucleus Accumbens by an Innovative RNA In Situ Detection Technology
Published on: March 27, 2018
9.0K
Ethanol Preference and Drinking Behavior Are Controlled by RNA Editing in the Nucleus Accumbens
Takahira Shirahase1,2,3, Yoshihisa Watanabe1, Atsushi Tsujimura1
1Department of Basic Geriatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
|January 31, 2019
Summary
RNA editing, regulated by ADAR2 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), influences alcohol addiction. Disrupting ADAR2 in the NAc reduces ethanol intake and preference, suggesting a role in alcohol dependence.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- RNA editing is crucial for brain function, with dysregulation linked to disorders.
- Chronic ethanol consumption increases RNA editing of the serotonin 2C receptor in the nucleus accumbens (NAc).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of RNA editing in the NAc in modulating alcohol addiction.
- To determine if ADAR2-mediated RNA editing in the NAc affects alcohol preference and intake.
Main Methods:
- Generated NAc-specific knockout mice for ADAR2 (double-stranded RNA-specific adenosine deaminase) using AAV-GFP/Cre.
- Conducted behavioral tests including open field, anxiety/depression-like behaviors, ethanol vapor exposure, ethanol drinking, and conditioned place preference (CPP).
Main Results:
- NAc-specific ADAR2 knockout mice exhibited decreased locomotor activity but no anxiety/depression-like behaviors.
- Chronic ethanol vapor exposure-induced increases in ethanol intake and preference were significantly reduced in ADAR2 knockout mice.
Conclusions:
- ADAR2-mediated RNA editing in the NAc plays a significant role in determining alcohol preference after chronic ethanol consumption.
- Targeting ADAR2 in the NAc may offer therapeutic strategies for alcohol addiction.
Related Concept Videos
02:23RNA Editing
9.9K
RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification where a precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) nucleotide sequence is changed by base insertion, deletion, or modification. The extent of RNA editing varies from a few hundred bases, in mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes, to a just single base, in nuclear genes of mammals. Even a single base change in the pre-mRNA can convert a codon for one amino acid into the codon for another amino acid or a stop codon. This type of re-coding can significantly affect the...
9.9K
01:32The Nucleus
102.0K
The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that acts as a control center in a eukaryotic cell. It contains chromosomal DNA, which controls gene expression and precisely regulates the production of proteins within the cell. In contrast, the DNA inside the mitochondria and chloroplast only carries out functions that are specific to those organelles.
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...
102.0K
01:25The Nucleus
7.5K
The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that acts as a control center in a eukaryotic cell. It contains chromosomal DNA, which controls gene expression and precisely regulates the production of proteins within the cell. In contrast, the DNA inside the mitochondria and chloroplast only carries out functions that are specific to those organelles.
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...
7.5K
01:32RNA Splicing
60.6K
Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...
60.6K
01:23Types of RNA
72.8K
Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
72.8K
00:54What is Behavior?
10.3K
Behaviors are actions that an organism engages in—they can be related to finding food, reproducing, defending against threats, and many other possible actions. Behaviors include activities related to the environment around the animal—such as migration—as well as social interactions within a species or population. Many behaviors involve motor output—that is, muscle movements—while others involve less visible actions, such as learning.
10.3K