A Cre Driver Line for Genetic Targeting of Kappa Opioid Receptor Expressing Cells

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-26-2023

Publication Title

eNeuro

Abstract

Here we describe the generation and characterization of a Cre knock-in mouse line that harbors a Cre insertion in the 39UTR of the k opioid receptor gene (Oprk1) locus and provides genetic access to populations of k opioid receptor (KOR)-expressing neurons throughout the brain. Using a combination of techniques including RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we report that Cre is expressed with high fidelity in KOR-expressing cells throughout the brain in this mouse line. We also provide evidence that Cre insertion does not alter basal KOR function. Baseline anxiety-like behaviors and nociceptive thresholds are unal-tered in Oprk1-Cre mice. Chemogenetic activation of KOR-expressing cells in the basolateral amygdala (BLAKOR cells) resulted in several sex-specific effects on anxiety-like and aversive behaviors. Activation led to decreased anxiety-like behavior on the elevated plus maze and increased sociability in female but not in male Oprk1-Cre mice. Activation of BLAKOR cells also attenuated KOR agonist-induced conditioned place aversion (CPA) in male Oprk1-Cre mice. Overall, these results suggest a potential role for BLAKOR cells in regulating anxiety-like behaviors and KOR-agonist mediated CPA. In summary, these results provide evidence for the utility of the newly generated Oprk1-Cre mice in assessing localization, anatomy, and function of KOR circuits throughout the brain.

PubMed ID

37364995

Volume

10

Issue

7

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