Effects of cannabinoids in Krox-24 targeted mice

Krox-24 is an immediate early gene encoding a zinc-finger transcription fac tor implicated in several adaptive responses, and its induction by cannabin oids has been reported. We used mice targeted in the Krox-24 gene to specif ically dissect the role of this protein in the acute and chronic central ac tions of cannabinoids. We report here on the ability of cannabinoids to act ivate G-proteins and to inhibit adenylyl cyclase, and to elicit behavioral responses in wild-type and mutant mice. The behavioral parameters and the b iochemical correlates of abstinence after Delta9-THC withdrawal were evalua ted. We show that Krox-24 is not involved in the acute analgesic effects of Delta9-THC and in the SR precipitated Delta9-THC withdrawal syndrome. Neur oReport 12:1367-1370 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.