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The Journal of Neuroscience, November 28, 2007, 27(48):13352-13356; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3216-07.2007

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Brief Communications
Opposing Regulation of Pair Bond Formation by cAMP Signaling within the Nucleus Accumbens Shell

Brandon J. Aragona and Zuoxin Wang

Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-1270

Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Zuoxin Wang, Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270. Email: zwang{at}neuro.fsu.edu

The formation of monogamous pair bonds, by prairie voles, is facilitated by activation of dopamine (DA) D₂-like, but not D₁-like, receptors within the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) shell. Because DA exerts opposing regulation of cAMP production depending on the subtype of receptor activated, we tested the hypothesis that DA regulation of pair bond formation is mediated via the cAMP signaling cascade. Consistent with activation of D₂-like receptors, decreasing cAMP signaling, by blocking cAMP binding sites on protein kinase A (PKA), facilitated partner preference formation. Conversely, increasing cAMP signaling, by preventing the activation of inhibitory G-proteins, activating stimulatory G-proteins, or stimulating PKA prevented the formation of mating-induced partner preferences. These manipulations were effective in the shell, but not the core, of the NAcc. Together, these data demonstrate opposing regulation over pair bond formation by cAMP signaling within the NAcc shell.

Key words: dopamine; cAMP; G-protein; Nacc; PKA; voles

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Received July 16, 2007; revised Oct. 24, 2007; accepted Oct. 24, 2007.

Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Zuoxin Wang, Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270. Email: zwang{at}neuro.fsu.edu

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