Genome-wide analysis of chromatin regulation by cocaine reveals a role for sirtuins

Neuron. 2009 May 14;62(3):335-48. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.03.026.

Abstract

Changes in gene expression contribute to the long-lasting regulation of the brain's reward circuitry seen in drug addiction; however, the specific genes regulated and the transcriptional mechanisms underlying such regulation remain poorly understood. Here, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with promoter microarray analysis to characterize genome-wide chromatin changes in the mouse nucleus accumbens, a crucial brain reward region, after repeated cocaine administration. Our findings reveal several interesting principles of gene regulation by cocaine and of the role of DeltaFosB and CREB, two prominent cocaine-induced transcription factors, in this brain region. The findings also provide comprehensive insight into the molecular pathways regulated by cocaine-including a new role for sirtuins (Sirt1 and Sirt2)-which are induced in the nucleus accumbens by cocaine and, in turn, dramatically enhance the behavioral effects of the drug.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatin / drug effects*
  • Cocaine / pharmacology*
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / drug effects
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Feedback, Physiological / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nucleus Accumbens / drug effects*
  • Nucleus Accumbens / metabolism
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / drug effects
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / physiology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / drug effects
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism
  • Reinforcement, Psychology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Sirtuins / drug effects
  • Sirtuins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fosb protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • Sirtuins
  • Cocaine

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE15968