Increased levels of calcium-sensitive adenylyl cyclase subtypes in the limbic system of alcoholics: evidence for a specific role of cAMP signaling in the human addictive brain

Brain Res. 2001 Mar 23;895(1-2):233-7. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(00)03260-1.

Abstract

We examined the amounts of several adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoforms and of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) in alcoholic and control brains. Immunoreactivity of type I AC was significantly increased in alcoholic nucleus accumbens and corpus amygdaloideum. Immunoreactivity of type VIII AC was also increased in alcoholic corpus amygdaloideum and hippocampus. CREB immunoreactivities were unchanged. These findings indicate that the brain-region specific increase of Ca(2+)-sensitive AC may contribute to the pathophysiology of alcoholism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenylyl Cyclases / metabolism*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alcoholism / enzymology*
  • Alcoholism / pathology
  • Alcoholism / physiopathology
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism*
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Limbic System / enzymology*
  • Limbic System / pathology
  • Limbic System / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurofilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Adenylyl Cyclases
  • Calcium