Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript (CART) Peptide Plays Critical Role in Psychostimulant-Induced Depression.
10.4062/biomolther.2018.141
- Author:
Qing MENG
1
;
Hyoung Chun KIM
;
Seikwan OH
;
Yong Moon LEE
;
Zhenzhen HU
;
Ki Wan OH
Author Information
1. Queen Mary Institute, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 33006, China.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
CART peptide;
Addiction;
Psychostimulant;
Depression
- MeSH:
Central Nervous System;
Depression*;
Dopamine;
Drug-Seeking Behavior;
Microinjections;
Motor Activity;
Neurotransmitter Agents;
Phosphotransferases;
Receptors, Dopamine;
Receptors, Glutamate;
Receptors, Neurotransmitter;
Transcription Factors
- From:Biomolecules & Therapeutics
2018;26(5):425-431
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide is a widely distributed neurotransmitter expressed in the central nervous systems. Previously, several reports demonstrated that nucleus accumbal-injected CART peptide positively modulated behavioral sensitization induced by psychostimulants and regulated the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic pathway. It is confirmed that CART peptide exerted inhibitory effect on psychostimulant-enhanced dopamine receptors signaling, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase signaling and crucial transcription factors expression. Besides modulation of dopamine receptors-related pathways, CART peptide also exhibited elaborated interactions with other neurotransmitter receptors, such as glutamate receptors and γ-aminobutyric acid receptors, which further account for attribution of CART peptide to inhibition of psychostimulant-potentiated locomotor activity. Recently, CART peptide has been shown to have anxiolytic functions on the aversive mood and uncontrolled drug-seeking behaviors following drug withdrawal. Moreover, microinjection of CART peptide has been shown to have an anti-depressant effect, which suggests its potential utility in the mood regulation and avoidance of depression-like behaviors. In this review, we discuss CART pathways in neural circuits and their interactions with neurotransmitters associated with psychostimulant-induced depression.
