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Articles, Cellular/Molecular

Alcohol Regulates BK Surface Expression via Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

Cristina Velázquez-Marrero, Alexandra Burgos, José O. García, Stephanie Palacio, Héctor G. Marrero, Alexandra Bernardo, Juliana Pérez-Laspiur, Marla Rivera-Oliver, Garrett Seale and Steven N. Treistman
Journal of Neuroscience 12 October 2016, 36 (41) 10625-10639; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0491-16.2016
Cristina Velázquez-Marrero
1Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901,
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  • ORCID record for Cristina Velázquez-Marrero
Alexandra Burgos
1Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901,
4University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931
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José O. García
1Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901,
3University of Puerto Rico Natural Sciences Department, Carolina Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00984, and
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Stephanie Palacio
1Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901,
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Héctor G. Marrero
1Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901,
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Alexandra Bernardo
1Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901,
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Juliana Pérez-Laspiur
2RCMI Translational Proteomics Center University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936,
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Marla Rivera-Oliver
1Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901,
4University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931
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Garrett Seale
1Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901,
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Steven N. Treistman
1Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901,
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Abstract

It has been suggested that drug tolerance represents a form of learning and memory, but this has not been experimentally established at the molecular level. We show that a component of alcohol molecular tolerance (channel internalization) from rat hippocampal neurons requires protein synthesis, in common with other forms of learning and memory. We identify β-catenin as a primary necessary protein. Alcohol increases β-catenin, and blocking accumulation of β-catenin blocks alcohol-induced internalization in these neurons. In transfected HEK293 cells, suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling blocks ethanol-induced internalization. Conversely, activation of Wnt/β-catenin reduces BK current density. A point mutation in a putative glycogen synthase kinase phosophorylation site within the S10 region of BK blocks internalization, suggesting that Wnt/β-catenin directly regulates alcohol-induced BK internalization via glycogen synthase kinase phosphorylation. These findings establish de novo protein synthesis and Wnt/β-catenin signaling as critical in mediating a persistent form of BK molecular alcohol tolerance establishing a commonality with other forms of long-term plasticity.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Alcohol tolerance is a key step toward escalating alcohol consumption and subsequent dependence. Our research aims to make significant contributions toward novel, therapeutic approaches to prevent and treat alcohol misuse by understanding the molecular mechanisms of alcohol tolerance. In our current study, we identify the role of a key regulatory pathway in alcohol-induced persistent molecular changes within the hippocampus. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates BK channel surface expression in a protein synthesis-dependent manner reminiscent of other forms of long-term hippocampal neuronal adaptations. This unique insight opens the possibility of using clinically tested drugs, targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, for the novel use of preventing and treating alcohol dependency.

  • beta-catenin
  • BK
  • downregulation
  • EtOH
  • tolerance
  • Wnt
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The Journal of Neuroscience: 36 (41)
Journal of Neuroscience
Vol. 36, Issue 41
12 Oct 2016
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Alcohol Regulates BK Surface Expression via Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Cristina Velázquez-Marrero, Alexandra Burgos, José O. García, Stephanie Palacio, Héctor G. Marrero, Alexandra Bernardo, Juliana Pérez-Laspiur, Marla Rivera-Oliver, Garrett Seale, Steven N. Treistman
Journal of Neuroscience 12 October 2016, 36 (41) 10625-10639; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0491-16.2016

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Alcohol Regulates BK Surface Expression via Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Cristina Velázquez-Marrero, Alexandra Burgos, José O. García, Stephanie Palacio, Héctor G. Marrero, Alexandra Bernardo, Juliana Pérez-Laspiur, Marla Rivera-Oliver, Garrett Seale, Steven N. Treistman
Journal of Neuroscience 12 October 2016, 36 (41) 10625-10639; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0491-16.2016
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Keywords

  • beta-catenin
  • BK
  • downregulation
  • EtOH
  • tolerance
  • Wnt

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