eIF2a-mediated translational control regulates the persistence of cocaine-induced LTP in midbrain dopamine neurons

Placzek AN, etc
eLife, 2016


Recreational drug use leads to compulsive substance abuse in some individuals. Studies on animal models of drug addiction indicate that persistent long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory synaptic transmission onto ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons is a critical component of sustained drug seeking. However, little is known about the mechanism regulating such long-lasting changes in synaptic strength. Previously, we identified that translational control by eIF2a phosphorylation (p-eIF2a) regulates cocaine-induced LTP in the VTA (Huang et al., 2016). Here we report that in mice with reduced p-eIF2a-mediated translation, cocaine induces persistent LTP in VTA DA neurons. Moreover, selectively inhibiting eIF2a-mediated translational control with a small molecule ISRIB, or knocking down oligophrenin-1—an mRNA whose translation is controlled by p-eIF2a—in the VTA also prolongs cocaine-induced LTP. This persistent LTP is mediated by the insertion of GluR2-lacking AMPARs. Collectively, our findings suggest that eIF2a-mediated translational control regulates the progression from transient to persistent cocaine-induced LTP.

Read more »

Journal
eLife
Year
2016
Page
doi: 10.7554/eLife.17517
Institute
Baylor College of Medicine