Pharmacology: Cocaine on target

The transcription factor DFosB is known to be induced by repeated cocaine administration. Using a combination of DNA array and gene knockout technologies, Bibb et al. now identify the signalling molecule Cdk5 as a target of DFosB. They further show that inhibition of Cdk5 potentiates the behavioural effects of chronic cocaine administration suggesting that Cdk5 normally acts to oppose the effects of cocaine. The picture emerging is that the behavioural effects of cocaine are influenced by the positive and negative effects of DFosB acting via multiple targets.

Effects of chronic exposure to cocaine are regulated by the neuronal protein Cdk5
JAMES A. BIBB, JINGSHAN CHEN, JANE R. TAYLOR, PER SVENNINGSSON, AKINORI NISHI, GRETCHEN L. SNYDER, ZHEN YAN, ZACHARY K. SAGAWA, CHARLES C. OUIMET, ANGUS C. NAIRN, ERIC J. NESTLER, PAUL GREENGARD
Nature 410, 376-380 (15 March 2001)
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15 March 2001 table of contents