Wenqin Xu

This study investigates the role of cAMP-dependent signaling pathways in cocaine-induced immediate-early gene expression in D1 medium-spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens, identifying distinct pathways for Egr-1 and c-Fos induction.

The paper designs peptide-based PAC1 antagonists using molecular dynamics simulations and a cell-based assay, finding that some proposed small molecule antagonists lack activity while confirming the efficacy of PACAP(6-38) and M65.

The paper identifies constitutive and acute transcriptomic effects of PACAP deficiency in mice, revealing distinct mechanisms of neuropeptide action on physiological and behavioral responses.

This study identifies a novel cAMP-NCS-Rapgef2-ERK-Egr-1/Zif268 pathway in D1 dopamine receptor neurons of the nucleus accumbens that is essential for cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference.