Methamphetamine-induced up-regulation of α2/δ subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels is regulated by DA receptors

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the roles of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors on the up-regulation of α2/δ subunit of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) induced by methamphetamine (METH). In the conditioned place preference paradigm, METH-induced place preference suppressed with gabapentin, an antagonist for α2/δ subunit. Under these conditions, the increase in α2/δ subunit expression was found in the frontal cortex and limbic forebrain. In addition, the METH-induced place preference was significantly attenuated by dopamine D1 and D2 receptor antagonists, SCH23390 and sulpiride, respectively. The expression of α2/δ subunit protein and its mRNA was significantly enhanced in the METH-treated cortical neurons. These increases in protein and mRNA of α2/δ subunit were completely abolished by SCH23390 and sulpiride with simultaneous exposure to METH. These findings indicate that up-regulation of α2/δ subunit is regulated through the activation of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors during METH treatment. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.