Loss of UBE3A from TH-expressing neurons suppresses GABA co-release and enhances VTA-NAc optical self-stimulation

Janet Berrios; Alice M. Stamatakis; Pranish A. Kantak; Zoe A. McElligott; Matthew C. Judson; Megumi Aita; Marie Rougie; Garret D. Stuber; Benjamin D. Philpot

doi:10.1038/ncomms10702

Nature Communications (Feb 2016)

Loss of UBE3A from TH-expressing neurons suppresses GABA co-release and enhances VTA-NAc optical self-stimulation

Janet Berrios,
Alice M. Stamatakis,
Pranish A. Kantak,
Zoe A. McElligott,
Matthew C. Judson,
Megumi Aita,
Marie Rougie,
Garret D. Stuber,
Benjamin D. Philpot

Affiliations

Janet Berrios: Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina
Alice M. Stamatakis: Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina
Pranish A. Kantak: Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina
Zoe A. McElligott: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina
Matthew C. Judson: Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina
Megumi Aita: Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina
Marie Rougie: Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina
Garret D. Stuber: Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina
Benjamin D. Philpot: Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10702
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

Read online

Mesoaccumbal terminals within the VTA are known to co-release both GABA and dopamine, although the functional role of the former has yet to be determined. Here, the authors find that non-canonical GABA release is regulated by the E3-ubiquitin ligase, UBE3A, and enhances optogenetic self-stimulation.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

About the journal