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Updated: Jun 5, 2025

Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience
Published on: August 26, 2014
Role of Rab10 in cocaine-induced behavioral effects is associated with GABAB receptor membrane expression in the
Zhuoxuan Yu1, Qiang Fu2, Tianyun Qiu3
1The First Clinical Medical College, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Aim:
Previous studies have demonstrated that Ras-related GTP-binding protein Rab10 (Rab10) plays a role in psychostimulant-induced behavioral effects. In this study, we showed that Rab10 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of male animals affects the development of cocaine-induced behavioral effects, which are associated with the plasma membrane expression of the GABAB heteroreceptor (GABABR).
Methods:
We performed flow cytometry, immunoendocytosis, pHluorin activity analysis, electrophysiology analysis, and open-field testing to explore the role of Rab10 in modulating the membrane expression and function of GABABR and its regulatory effect on cocaine-induced behavioral effects.
Results:
Transcriptomics analysis showed that Rab10 was elevated following acute cocaine treatment. Membrane levels of Rab10 increased within day 1 of the cocaine treatment, subsequently decreasing at later time points. Rab10 deficiency in NAc regions significantly increased cocaine-inhibited membrane GABABR levels and inhibited cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion and behavioral sensitization. In addition, GAD -expressing neurons from NAc regions treated with cocaine revealed a significant decrease in Rab10 membrane expression. Furthermore, NAc neuron-specific Rab10 knockout resulted in a significant increase in the cocaine-inhibited membrane expression of GABABR, along with increased miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current (mIPSC) amplitude and attenuation of baclofen-amplified Ca2+ influx.
Conclusion:
These results uncover a new mechanism in which Rab10-GABABR signaling may serve as a potential pathway for regulating cocaine-induced behavioral effects.
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