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Fluoxetine modulates G protein αs, αq and α12 subunit mRNA expression in rat brain

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Abstract

Signal-transducing G proteins are central to the coordination of receptor-effector communication. We have explored the effects of long-term fluoxetine administration on Gαs, Gαi1, Gαi2, Gα0, Gαq and Gα12 mRNA expression in various rat brain regions using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-mediated cross-species partial cDNA cloning. Northern blot analysis, and RNase protection assay techniques. Fluoxetine decreased Gαs mRNA in midbrain, while mRNA expression of the novell of G protein α subunits, Gα4 and Gα12, was increased in neostriatum and frontal cortex. We conclude that in addition to post-translational modification, regulation of G protein function by antidepressant drugs may occur at the level of gene expression.

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