Gene Expression Differences in Mice Strains and Their Response to Morphine
Author Information
Author(s): Grice Dorothy E, Reenilä Ilkka, Männistö Pekka T, Brooks Andrew I, Smith George G, Golden Greg T, Buxbaum Joseph D, Berrettini Wade H
Primary Institution: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/New Jersey Medical School
Hypothesis
Altered expression of specific mRNAs may represent mechanisms for regulating the effects of drugs of abuse in different mouse strains.
Conclusion
The study found that mRNAs with differing expression between C57 and DBA mice could contribute to their specific responses to drugs of abuse.
Supporting Evidence
- Microarray analysis identified 67 mRNAs with altered expression between C57 and DBA mice in the absence of morphine.
- 50 mRNAs showed altered expression between the two strains in the presence of morphine.
- Validation of mRNA expression changes was performed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR).
- Comt expression correlated with morphine sensitivity in C57/DBA recombinant inbred strains.
Takeaway
Scientists looked at how two types of mice react to morphine and found that their genes behave differently, which might explain why they respond to drugs in unique ways.
Methodology
Microarray analysis was performed on the nucleus accumbens of drug-naïve and morphine-treated C57 and DBA mice to identify mRNA expression differences.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in gene expression due to the use of different analytical methods and platforms.
Limitations
Not all microarray results were validated, and some discrepancies may arise from differences in probe specificity.
Participant Demographics
Male mice, 8-12 weeks old, weighing 18 to 28 grams.
Statistical Information
P-Value
1.65 × 10^-10 for Gnb1, 2.14 × 10^-7 for Comt
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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