Study published in Cell, with a contribution from Marcelina Węzik, (C2B Team) at ICVS, shows that dynorphin release in the striatum is necessary and sufficient for goal-directed behavior
What drives us to act toward a goal? A new study published in the journal Cell points to an unexpected answer: dynorphin, an opioid peptide naturally produced by the brain. Until now, the role of this molecule in goal-directed behavior was unknown. The researchers showed that its release, at a precise moment and in a specific location of the dorsomedial striatum, is necessary and sufficient to promote this type of behavior.
To reach this conclusion, the team combined several recent approaches: selective gene deletion, sensors able to detect neuropeptides in real time, two-photon imaging and optogenetic manipulation of peptide release with temporal precision. This combination overcame a limitation of previous studies, which could not track the action of neuropeptides with the necessary spatial and temporal resolution. The work also showed that dynorphin signaling changes with learning and helps shape future actions.
The study includes a contribution from Marcelina Węzik, a PhD student at ICVS (School of Medicine, University of Minho), carried out during a research period in Michael Bruchas’ laboratory at the University of Washington, Seattle. Marcelina Wezik is pursuing her PhD under the supervision of Carina Soares-Cunha and Ana João Rodrigues, with part of the work conducted at the U.S. institution.
