The Cellular Basis of Addiction

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the cellular basis of addiction, including definitions of important concepts and mechanisms.

Addiction

A condition characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter responsible for the brain's reward system, making you feel good.

GPCR

G-Protein Coupled Receptor; a large family of cell surface receptors that play a role in neurotransmission.

cAMP

Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; a secondary messenger involved in transmitting signals within cells. Increases with Gas and decreases with Gai

Transcription Factor

Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to regulate gene expression.

DFOSB

A transcription factor that mediates addictive behavior, can stay for a long time because they lack ubiquinated

Heterodimerization

The process where two different molecules (often proteins) form a complex together.

Epigenetics

The study of heritable phenotype changes that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence.

Histone Acetylation

A modification of histone proteins that usually enhances gene expression by making DNA more accessible.

Dynorphin

An opioid peptide that binds to opioid receptors and is thought to inhibit dopaminergic neurotransmission.