Cocaine engages a non-canonical, dopamine-independent, mechanism that controls neuronal excitability in the nucleus accumbens

Ilse Delint-Ramirez, Francisco Garcia-Oscos, Amir Segev, Saïd Kourrich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Drug-induced enhanced dopamine (DA) signaling in the brain is a canonical mechanism that initiates addiction processes. However, indirect evidence suggests that cocaine also triggers non-canonical, DA-independent, mechanisms that contribute to behavioral responses to cocaine, including psychomotor sensitization and cocaine self-administration. Identifying these mechanisms and determining how they are initiated is fundamental to further our understanding of addiction processes. Using physiologically relevant in vitro tractable models, we found that cocaine-induced hypoactivity of nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) medium spiny neurons (MSNs), one hallmark of cocaine addiction, is independent of DA signaling. Combining brain slice studies and site-directed mutagenesis in HEK293T cells, we found that cocaine binding to intracellular sigma-1 receptor (σ1) initiates this mechanism. Subsequently, σ1 binds to Kv1.2 potassium channels, followed by accumulation of Kv1.2 in the plasma membrane, thereby depressing NAcSh MSNs firing. This mechanism is specific to D1 receptor-expressing MSNs. Our study uncovers a mechanism for cocaine that bypasses DA signaling and leads to addiction-relevant neuroadaptations, thereby providing combinatorial strategies for treating stimulant abuse.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)680-691
Number of pages12
JournalMolecular psychiatry
Volume25
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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