Effect of PKCγ inhibition on signaling and ethanol drinking behaviors in ENT1+/+ mice. (A) Microinjection of PKC inhibitor (10 µM) into the NAc reduced pCaMKII levels [t(9) = 2.4, p = 0.04] and (B) decreased lacZ expression in CRE-lacZ/ENT1+/+ mice [t(10) = 2.6, p = 0.03]. Representative coronal brain section of lacZ expression by X-gal staining. Scale bar = 100 µm. n = 6 for each genotype. Microinjection of PKC inhibitor (1.0, 10, and 20 µM) into the NAc elevated (C) ethanol consumption and (D) ethanol preference. ENT1+/+ mice showed increased ethanol drinking by PKC inhibition both in 10µM [t(16) = 2.2, p = 0.04 for consumption, t(17) = 2.1, p = 0.03 for preference] and 20 µM [t(16) = 2.7, p = 0.01 for consumption, t(16) = 2.13, p = 0.04 for preference], but not in ENT1−/− mice. n = 8 ~ 9 for each genotype. *p < 0.05 compared between treatment groups by unpaired two-tailed t-test. AC, anterior commissure. All data are presented as mean ± SEM.