mTORC2 in the dorsomedial striatum of mice contributes to alcohol-dependent F-Actin polymerization, structural modifications, and consumption

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2018 Jun;43(7):1539-1547. doi: 10.1038/s41386-018-0012-1. Epub 2018 Feb 7.

Abstract

Actin is highly enriched at dendritic spines, and actin remodeling plays an essential role in structural plasticity. The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) is a regulator of actin polymerization. Here, we report that alcohol consumption increases F-actin content in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) of mice, thereby altering dendritic spine morphology in a mechanism that requires mTORC2. Specifically, we found that excessive alcohol consumption increases mTORC2 activity in the DMS, and that knockdown of Rictor, an essential component of mTORC2 signaling, reduces actin polymerization, and attenuates the alcohol-dependent alterations in spine head size and the number of mushroom spines. Finally, we show that knockdown of Rictor in the DMS reduces alcohol consumption, whereas intra-DMS infusion of the mTORC2 activator, A-443654, increases alcohol intake. Together, these results suggest that mTORC2 in the DMS facilitates the formation of F-actin, which in turn induces changes in spine structure to promote and/or maintain excessive alcohol intake.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Actins / physiology*
  • Alcohol Drinking / physiopathology*
  • Animals
  • Corpus Striatum / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Spines / metabolism
  • Ethanol / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Ethanol / pharmacology*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Indazoles / pharmacology
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 / metabolism
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Polymerization / drug effects
  • Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • A 443654
  • Actins
  • Indazoles
  • Indoles
  • Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein
  • rictor protein, mouse
  • Ethanol
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2