Virus-mediated GHS-R1a expression in the basolateral amygdala blocks extinction of conditioned taste aversion memory
Fubing Han1, Fenghua Xu2, Qianqian Zhu2
1Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shangdong, 266000, China.
Abstract:
Ghrelin is an orexigenic gastric hormone that promotes feeding behaviors and regulating energy homeostasis in both humans and rodents. Our previous studies have shown that ghrelin, when locally infused into the basolateral amygdala (BLA), blocks both acquisition and extinction of conditioned taste aversion (CTA) memory in rats. In this study, we further investigated the effect of virus-mediated overexpression of ghrelin receptor growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1a) in BLA pyramidal neurons on CTA memory processes. We found that upregulation of GHS-R1a expression in BLA pyramidal neurons repressed CTA extinction while it had no effect on CTA acquisition. In addition, we reported that local infusion of the endogenous GHS-R1a antagonist, liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2), in the BLA abolished the inhibitory effect of increased GHS-R1a on CTA memory extinction. Those findings provide new supportive evidence that ghrelin/GHS-R1a signaling in the BLA circuit shapes emotional memory processes.
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