Knockdown of Dopamine D2 Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Core Suppresses Methamphetamine-Induced Behaviors and Signal Transduction in Mice

BACKGROUND: Addictive drugs lead to reinforcing properties by increasing dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, which is composed of a core and shell regions. Neurons in the nucleus accumbens are divided into 2 subtypes based on the differential gene expression of the dopamine D₁ receptors and D₂ receptors. METHODS: In the present study, we investigated the role of D₂ receptors in the nucleus accumbens core in behaviors and signal transduction induced by psychostimulant methamphetamine in mice that were microinjected with adeno-associated virus vectors containing a microRNA (miRNA) sequence for D₂ receptor (adeno-associated virus-miD2r vectors) in the nucleus accumbens core. The adeno-associated virus vectors containing a miRNA sequence for D₂ receptor-treated mice (miD₂r mice) were assessed at a reduction in D₂ receptor, but at no change in dopamine D₁ receptor, in the nucleus accumbens core compared with the adeno-associated virus-Mock vectors-treated mice (Mock mice). RESULTS: miD₂r mice exhibited a reduction in hyperlocomotion that was induced by a single treatment with methamphetamine. The development of locomotor sensitization induced by repeated treatment with methamphetamine exhibited less extension in miD₂r mice. In a place conditioning paradigm, the preferred effects of methamphetamine were significantly weaker in miD₂r mice than in Mock mice. Furthermore, the single treatment with methamphetamine-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein in the nucleus accumbens core of miD₂r mice was decreased compared with that in Mock mice. Repeated treatment with methamphetamine-induced delta FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog B accumulation in the nucleus accumbens core of miD₂r mice was also attenuated. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a D₂ receptor-mediated neuronal pathway from the nucleus accumbens core plays an inhibitory role in the development of reinforcing properties.