The rostromedial tegmental nucleus and alcohol addiction. Ye J-H, Fu R, He W. (2017). Impact Journals. 2017;8(12):18624-18625.
The authors discuss their work (1) with Dermorphin-SAP (Cat. #IT-12) and their demonstration that damage of RMTg MOR-expressing GABAergic neurons by Dermorphin-SAP increased the intake and preference for alcohol, boosted the expression and slowed down the extinction of alcohol conditioned place preference, and increased locomotion. Microinjection of DS into the RMTg substantially reduced the number of RMTg cells.
Importantly, the rats that received DS injection elevated their alcohol intake and preference compared to those that received an injection of Blank-SAP (Cat. #IT-21), which did not cause neuronal damage. The figure at right depicts the outlines of RMTg area lesions in Dermorphin-SAP-injected rats. Semi-transparent shading shows lesion sites overlaid for each rat, so that darkest areas indicate areas of greatest damage (1).
- Fu R, Chen X, Zuo W, et al. Ablation of μ opioid receptor-expressing GABA neurons in rostromedial tegmental nucleus increases ethanol consumption and regulates ethanol-related behaviors. Neuropharmacology. 2016;107:58-67.
Dermorphin-SAP (Cat. #KIT-12)
a tool for eliminating cells that express the mu-opioid receptor (MOR); targeted via dermorphin, eliminated via saporin. This kit includes Dermorphin-SAP / MOR-SAP (Cat. #IT-12) plus Blank-SAP (Cat. #IT-21). MOR-expressing neurons have long been considered some of the most important cells in the nervous systems because of their participation in pain, pain control, addiction, gastrointestinal motility, and mast cell function, among others. This specific cytotoxin provides new methods for understanding these neurons and how they work. MOR-SAP is not suitable for retrograde transport.