Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Beulig, Alfred

Keywords

Cocaine Addiction, RNA, Neurobiology, Genetics

Area of Concentration

Neurobiology

Abstract

RNA-binding protein, HuD, is necessary for proper neuronal development in mammals and is also involved in neuronal growth during synaptic plasticity. HuD also acts as a trans-acting factor by stabilizing mRNA transcripts in the cytoplasm and promoting translation. MicroRNA-495 (miR-495) acts as a destabilizing trans-acting factor by promoting deadenylation or repression mechanisms. HuD and miR-495 share homologous sequences in the RNA binding domains of mRNA targets, making them competitors. Many of the mRNA targets of HuD and miR-495 are addiction-related genes involved in cocaine addiction. To see the effect of HuD and miR-495 competition on addiction related-genes, we used a mouse model overexpressing HuD (HuD Tg). The relative levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), HuD, and miR-495 in the nucleus accumbens were quantified using real time polymerase chain reaction, after a sub- chronic treatment of cocaine. The relative RNA levels of miR-495 were increased in the HuD Tg and the control mice; all other data were insignificant. This pilot study can help mold further studies on the competition between HuD and miR-495.

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