Cocaine and ethanol target 26S proteasome activity and gene expression in neuroblastoma cells.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Ethanol and cocaine are widely abused drugs triggering long-lasting changes in neuronal circuits and synaptic transmission through the regulation of enzyme activity and gene expression. Compelling evidence indicates that the ubiquitin-proteasome system plays a role in the molecular changes induced by addictive substances, impacting on several mechanisms implicated in abuse. The goal of these studies was to evaluate the effects of cocaine or ethanol on proteasome activity in neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, the gene expression of specific subunits was assessed.

METHODS:

Chymotrypsin-like activity was measured after 2 h, 24 h, and 48 h exposure to 5 μM cocaine or 40 mM ethanol. Proteasome subunit transcripts were evaluated by qPCR at the same time-points.

RESULTS:

Treatments modified proteasome function in opposite directions, since cocaine increased and ethanol reduced chymotrypsin-like activity. Interestingly, we observed gene expression alterations induced by these drugs. In the core particle, the β1 and α5 subunits were mainly up-regulated by cocaine, whereas α6 transcripts were mostly decreased. β2 and β5 did not change. Similarly, ethanol exposure generally increased β1 and α5 mRNAs. Moreover, the β2 subunit was significantly up-regulated by ethanol only. The β5 and α6 subunits were not altered. In the regulatory particle, Rpt3 was increased by cocaine exposure, whereas it was reduced by ethanol. No significant Rpn9 alterations were observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings support the notion that addictive substances regulate proteasome function, contributing to the dysregulations related to drug abuse since the availability of adequate subunit amounts is necessary for proper complex assembly and function.

• Authors: Francesca Felicia Caputi, Lucia Carboni, Daria Mazza, Sanzio Candeletti, Patrizia Romualdi
• Journal: Drug and alcohol dependence (Drug Alcohol Depend) Vol. 161 Pg. 265-75 (Apr 01 2016) ISSN: 1879-0046 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 26922280 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Ethanol
• Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
• ATP dependent 26S protease
• Cocaine

Topics

• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cocaine (pharmacology)
• Ethanol (pharmacology)
• Gene Expression (drug effects)
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects)
• Humans
• Neuroblastoma (metabolism)
• Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex (metabolism)