Deciphering the roles of casein kinase 1-epsilon and –delta in the motivational properties of substances of abuse and dopaminergic signaling.
Dr. Bryant recently provided direct genetic and pharmacological evidence that casein kinase 1-epsilon (Csnk1e) inhibits whereas casein kinase 1-delta (Csnk1d) facilitates the locomotor response to psychostimulants and opioids (Bryant et al., 2012; Neuropsychopharmacology). These observations suggest at least two possibilities regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of these two highly related isoforms on behavior: 1) Csnk1e and Csnk1d modulate different signaling pathways to produce their opposing behavioral effects and 2) Csnk1e and Csnk1d are expressed in different cell types and thus, modulate different circuitry to exert opposing effects on behavior. We are currently testing these two hypotheses by examining dopamine signaling (DARPP-32) and generating cell type-specific knockout mice to examine the effects of ablating Csnk1e versus Csnk1d on signaling and behavior.
Lisa Goldberg Casein Kinase-1 Deletion poster
Olga Lacki Fall 2014 UROP poster
