Effects of Nicotine and Conventional Anxiolytics in Male and Female Mice Lacking of Regulator of G-protein Signaling 4 and Their Wildtype Counterparts

A significant number (15-25%) of the 60 million smokers in the United States have experienced anxiety at least once in their lifetime. Nicotine, a psychoactive component of tobacco smoke, can be anxiolytic. Regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4) is extensively found in the brain especially in brain regions that play a role in anxiety. Further, RGS4 proteins negatively regulate intracellular signaling pathways for neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that play an important role in mediating anxiety. However, the anxiolytics effects of nicotine and conventional anxiolytics in mice lacking RGS4 have not been evaluated. Thus, the objective of the research was to determine the role of RGS4 proteins and sex (male vs. female) in anxiolytic effects of nicotine and conventional anxiolytics such as bupropion, fluoxetine and desipramine. We hypothesized that mice lacking RGS4 may be more sensitive to the anxiolytic effects of nicotine and conventional anxiolytics. The data are being analyzed. RGS4 proteins could serve as a target for both anxiety and nicotine addiction.