Locomotor sensitization to cocaine is associated with distinct pattern of glutamate receptor trafficking to the postsynaptic density in prefrontal cortex: early versus late withdrawal effects

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2009 May;92(3):383-92. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2008.12.004. Epub 2008 Dec 13.

Abstract

Glutamatergic neurotransmission plays an important role in the behavioral and molecular plasticity observed in cocaine mediated locomotor sensitization. Recent studies show that glutamatergic signaling is regulated by receptor trafficking, synaptic localization, and association with scaffolding proteins. The trafficking of the glutamate receptors was investigated in the dorsal and ventral prefrontal cortex at 1 and 21 days after repeated cocaine administration which produced robust locomotor sensitization. A subcellular fractionation technique was used to isolate the cellular synaptosomal fraction containing the postsynaptic density. At early withdrawal, the prefrontal cortex displayed a reduction in the synaptosomal content of the AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits. In contrast, after extended withdrawal, there was a significant increase in the trafficking of the receptors into the synaptosomal compartment. These changes were accompanied by corresponding trafficking of the postsynaptic glutamatergic scaffolding proteins. Thus, enhanced trafficking of glutamate receptors from cytosolic to synaptosomal compartment is associated with prolonged withdrawal from repeated exposure to cocaine and may have functional consequences for the synaptic and behavioral plasticity.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cocaine / pharmacology*
  • Locomotion*
  • Male
  • Prefrontal Cortex / drug effects*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / metabolism
  • Protein Transport
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Glutamate / metabolism*
  • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Synapses / drug effects*
  • Synapses / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • Cocaine