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Modulation of mesolimbic dopamine release by the selective dopamine D3 receptor antagonist, (+)-S 14297.

In Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with recombinant rat dopamine D2 or D3 receptors, the naphthofurane antagonist, (+)-S 14297 [(+)-[7-(N,N-dipropylamino)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro- naphtho(2,3b)dihydro,2,3-furane]], displayed a pronounced preference for dopamine D3 versus D2 receptors: Ki values = 13 and 365 nM, respectively. In contrast, its distomer, (-)-S 17777, showed low affinity (296 versus 3403 nM). The aminotetralin agonist, (+)-7-OH-DPAT (7-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin), also showed high affinity at dopamine D3 (1.8 nM) versus D2 (96 nM) receptors while its (-)-isomer showed low affinity (71 and 1461 nM). In freely moving rats, (+)-7-OH-DPAT (0.16 mg/kg s.c.)-but not (-)-7-OH-DPAT-decreased dialysate levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens. (+)-S 14297 (1.25 mg/kg s.c.) markedly inhibited the action of (+)-7-OH-DPAT without influencing dopamine levels alone. Further, this action was stereospecific in that (-)-S 17777 (20.0 mg/kg s.c.) was inactive. In conclusion, data obtained with the novel, selective dopamine D3 receptor antagonist, (+)-S 14297 suggest that dopamine D3 autoreceptors modulate the release of dopamine from mesolimbic dopaminergic neurones.

2-Naphthylamine↗

Effects of in utero cocaine exposure on the expression of mRNAS encoding the dopamine transporter and the D1, D2 and D5 dopamine receptor subtypes in fetal rhesus monkey.

The effects of in utero cocaine exposure on the development of the mRNAs encoding the dopamine transporter (DAT) and the D1, D2 and D5 dopamine receptor subtypes were determined in fetal monkey brains at day 45 and day 60 of gestation. Pregnant monkeys were treated with cocaine 3 mg/kg or saline i.m., four times a day from day 18 of gestation until the pregnancy was terminated at day 45 or day 60. The fetal brains were dissected, and tissue RNA extracted and quantified using ribonuclease protection assay analysis. In day 45 fetal monkeys, dopamine D1 and D2 receptor subtype mRNAs and DAT mRNA were found in low quantities both in control and cocaine-treated subjects. In day 60 fetal monkeys, D1 receptor mRNA levels were highest in the frontal cortex/striatal area, and low to moderate quantities were found in diencephalic and mesencephalic fetal brain regions. Dopamine D2 receptor mRNA levels were highest in the frontal cortex/striatal area, diencephalon and the midbrain, moderate in the brainstem and low in the caudal temporal lobe and surrounding cortical areas. Dopamine D5 receptor mRNA was expressed in low quantities throughout the day 60 fetal monkey brain, whereas DAT mRNA was found in the midbrain only. In utero cocaine exposure caused a significant increase in dopamine D1, D2 and D5 receptor subtype mRNAs in the frontal cortex/striatal area of day 60 fetal monkeys. These results support the hypothesis that dopamine synthesis and release may be reduced in cocaine-treated fetuses, which results in dopamine receptor up-regulation.

Animals↗

The alleged dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 83959 is a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist in primate cells and interacts with other receptors.

So far, no clear correlation has been found between the effects of dopamine D1 receptor agonists on motor behavior in primate models of Parkinson's disease and their ability to stimulate adenylate cyclase in rats, the benzazepine SKF 83959 (3-methyl-6-chloro-7,8-hydroxy-1-[3-methylphenyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-]H- 3-benzazepine) being the most striking example. Since this discrepancy might be attributed to: (A) the different species used to study these effects or (B) the interaction of SKF 83959 with other catecholamine receptors, the aims of this study were: (1) to study the ability of SKF 83959 to stimulate adenylate cyclase in cultured human and monkey glial cells equipped with dopamine D1 receptors and (2) to evaluate the affinity for and the functional interaction of SKF 83959 with other catecholamine receptors. Binding studies revealed that SKF 83959 displayed the highest affinity for the dopamine D1 receptor (pKi=6.72) and the alpha2-adrenoceptor (pKi=6.41) and moderate affinity for the dopamine D2 receptor and the noradrenaline transporter. In monkey and human cells, SKF 83959 did not stimulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation to a significant extent, but antagonized very potently the dopamine-induced stimulation of cAMP formation in both cell types. The compound stimulated basal dopamine outflow and inhibited depolarization-induced acetylcholine release only at concentrations > 10 microM. Finally, SKF 83959 concentration dependently increased electrically evoked noradrenaline release, indicating that it had alpha2-adrenoceptor blocking activity and interfered with the noradrenaline transporter. In conclusion, SKF 83959 is a potent dopamine D1 receptor and alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist. Thus, the anti-parkinsonian effects of SKF 83959 in primates are not mediated by striatal dopamine D1 receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase in a stimulatory way.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗

Multisubtrate mechanism for the inward transport of dopamine by the human dopamine transporter expressed in HEK cells and its inhibition by cocaine.

Rotating disk electrode voltammetry was used to measure the time-resolved inward transport of dopamine into human embryonic kidney cells expressing the human transporter for dopamine and a kinetic mechanism of transport is hypothesized. Dopamine transport in this preparation was highly concentrative, with a 10(6)-10(7) inward bias, first order in dopamine and the K(m) and V(max) were found to be 1.6 microM and 18 pmol/sec x 10(6) cells), respectively. The hDAT turnover was estimated to be approximately 18 s(-1) and the second order rate constant of association of dopamine with hDAT was approximately 10(7) M(-1)s(-1). Dopamine transport was found to have a second order dependence on Na(+) (K(Na) approximately 100 mM) and a first order dependence on Cl(-) (K(Cl) approximately 12 mM). Multisubstrate analyses suggested that hDAT operates with an ordered kinetic mechanism in which Na(+) binds first to the transporter protein, dopamine second, and Cl(-) last before translocation of dopamine into or across the membrane. Cocaine competitively inhibited dopamine transport (reaction order of unity and K(i) approximately 0.34 microM) with no discernible effect at the Na(+) and Cl(-) binding sites. These results differ from those of previous studies conducted in preparations of the striatum and nucleus accumbens. Comparisons of the variant results are made and an analysis of the differing apparent kinetic mechanisms is presented.

Carrier Proteins↗

Continuous intracerebroventricular infusion of dopamine and dopamine agonists through a totally implanted drug delivery system in animal models of Parkinson's disease.

We studied the effect of intracerebroventricular infusion of dopamine and dopamine agonists in rat and primate models of Parkinson's disease as an experimental approach to the treatment of levodopa-induced fluctuations. The infusion of dopamine, lisuride, and pergolide into the ventricle ipsilateral to the lesion, by 6-hydroxydopamine, of the nigrostriatal pathway induced a contralateral rotation which was maximal 24-48 h after infusion and whose intensity progressively decreased over the period of 1 week. [3H]Spiperone binding was decreased by the infusion of dopamine but the responses to subcutaneous apomomorphine were unchanged. The infusion of dopamine also restored the levels of monoamines in the rat brain. In chronic reserpized rats, the infusion of dopamine restored brain levels of dopamine but did not reverse akinesia unless monoamine oxidase inhibitors were simultaneously administered, either systemically or intracerebroventricularly. Lisuride and pergolide proved much weaker than dopamine in reversing the effects of reserpine. Intracerebroventricular infusion of dopamine plus deprenyl reversed MPTP induced akinesia in monkeys but the pump used for the delivery was not well tolerated, because of its size, by the animals.

Animals↗

Inhibition of substantia nigra dopamine cell firing by R(-)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine: electrophysiological and autoradiographic studies after regional inactivation of dopamine receptors by microinjection of N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline.

The irreversible receptor inactivator, N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ), was injected into rat striatum or substantia nigra to study potential contributions of dopamine receptors in each area to the inhibition of substantia nigra (A9) dopamine cell firing by i.v. R(-)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine (NPA), a dopamine agonist. Extracellular, single unit recording studies showed that the numbers of active dopamine cells, basal firing rates and responses to i.v. R(-)-NPA were unchanged a day after striatal EEDQ injections, despite significant losses of striatal D1 and D2 receptors (confirmed by autoradiography). These results indicate that striatal receptors do not control the basal activity of A9 neurons, nor do they mediate inhibitions of firing by R(-)-NPA. Microinjections of EEDQ into substantia nigra, however, inactivated 75-78% of nigral D1 and D2 receptors and reduced the number of active dopamine cells and slightly increased firing rates. Moreover, dose-response curves to R(-)-NPA were shifted 10-fold to the right and the maximum inhibitory response was depressed. Furchgott analysis of the dose-response curves yielded a steep occupancy-response curve with maximum (> 95%) inhibition of firing at only 24% receptor occupation (i.e., 76% reserve). Thus, the substantial (approximately 70%) receptor reserve previously shown to exist for inhibition of dopamine cell firing by i.v. R(-)-NPA20,21 appears to be intrinsic to the nigra. To assess contributions of nigral D1 and D2 receptors to this response, selective inactivation of each receptor subtype was achieved (confirmed autoradiographically) by treating rats with SCH 23390 (4 mg/kg) or S(-)eticlopride (2 mg/kg), respectively, 30 min before intranigral EEDQ. Selective D2, but not D1, receptor inactivation produced rightward shifts and depressed the maximum of the R(-)-NPA dose-response curve in a manner like that observed after non-selective inactivation of nigral dopamine receptors. Unexpectedly, pretreatment with SCH 23390 (to protect D1 receptors) also produced a modest rightward shift in the R(-)-NPA dose-response curve, suggesting a slight role for D1 receptors in this response. These results indicate that inhibition of A9 dopamine cell firing by i.v. R(-)-NPA is mediated by dopamine receptors located in substantia nigra, but not striatum and confirm the predominant role of nigral D2 receptors.

Action Potentials↗

Dopamine transporters are involved in the onset of hypoxia-induced dopamine efflux in striatum as revealed by in vivo microdialysis.

Although many studies have revealed alterations in neurotransmission during ischaemia, few works have been devoted to the neurochemical effects of mild hypoxia, a situation encountered during life in altitude or in several pathologies. In that context, the present work was undertaken to determine the in vivo mechanisms underlying the striatal dopamine efflux induced by mild hypoxaemic hypoxia. For that purpose, the extracellular concentrations of dopamine and its metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid were simultaneously measured using brain microdialysis during acute hypoxic exposure (10% O(2), 1h) in awake rats. Hypoxia induced a +80% increase in dopamine. Application of the dopamine transporters inhibitor, nomifensine (10 microM), just before the hypoxia prevented the rise in dopamine during the early part of hypoxia; in contrast the application of nomifensine after the beginning of hypoxia, failed to alter the increase in dopamine. Application of the voltage-dependent Na(+) channel blocker tetrodotoxin abolished the increase in dopamine, whether administered just before or after the beginning of hypoxia. These data show that the neurochemical mechanisms of the dopamine efflux may change over the course of the hypoxic exposure, dopamine transporters being involved only at the beginning of hypoxia.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Enhancement of dopamine-induced signaling responses in the forebrain of mice lacking dopamine D3 receptor.

It is well known that the dopamine D(3) receptor plays a critical role in several psychological disorders, such as drug dependence. The present study was designed to investigate the influence of lacking dopamine D(3) receptors in dopamine-induced G-protein activation and Ca(2+) influx in the mouse forebrain. The deletion of dopamine D(3) receptor gene caused the enhancement of dopamine-induced G-protein activation in the limbic forebrain of dopamine D(3) receptor knockout (D(3)KO) mice. Furthermore, the dopamine-induced Ca(2+) influx was enhanced in the coculture of neuron/glia cells obtained from the forebrain of D(3)KO mice. The present data provide direct evidence that a deletion of central dopamine D(3) receptor enhances the dopamine D(1)/D(2) receptor-mediated intracellular signaling.

Animals↗

Measuring dopamine neuromodulation in the thalamus: using [F-18]fallypride PET to study dopamine release during a spatial attention task.

We used the highly selective D2/D3 dopamine PET radioligand [F-18]fallypride to demonstrate that cognitive task induced dopamine release can be measured in the extrastriatal region of the thalamus, a region containing 10-fold fewer D2 dopamine receptors than the striatum. Human studies were acquired on 8 healthy volunteers using a single [F-18]fallypride injection PET imaging session. A spatial attention task, previously demonstrated to increase FDG uptake in the thalamus, was initiated following a period of radioligand uptake. Thalamic dopamine release was statistically tested by measuring time-dependent alterations in the kinetics (focusing on specific binding) of the [F-18]fallypride using the linearized extension of the simplified reference region model. Voxel-based analysis of the dynamic PET data sets revealed a high correlation (r = 0.86, P = 0.0067) between spatial attention task performance and thalamic dopamine release. Various aspects of the kinetic model were analyzed to address concerns such as blood flow artifacts and model bias, as well as issues with task timing and regional variations in D2/D3 receptor density. In addition to the thalamus, measurement of dopamine neuromodulation using [F-18]fallypride and a single injection PET protocol can be extended to other extrastriatal regions of the brain, such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and regions of the temporal cortex. However, issues of task timing and detection sensitivity will vary depending on regional D2/D3 dopamine receptor density. Measurements of extrastriatal dopamine neuromodulation hold great promise to further our understanding of extrastriatal dopamine involvement in normal cognition and neuropsychiatric pathology.

Adult↗

Dopamine D2 receptor partial agonists display differential or contrasting characteristics in membrane and cell-based assays of dopamine D2 receptor signaling.

Clinical evidence suggests that dopamine D(2) receptor partial agonists must have a sufficiently low intrinsic activity to be effective as antipsychotics. Here, we used dopamine D(2) receptor signaling assays to compare the in vitro functional characteristics of the antipsychotic aripiprazole with other dopamine D(2) receptor partial agonists (7-{3-[4-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-piperazinyl]propoxy}-2(1H)-quinolinone [OPC-4392], (-)-3-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-N-n-propylpiperidine [(-)3-PPP] and (+)terguride) and dopamine D(2) receptor antagonists. Aripiprazole and OPC-4392 were inactive in a guanosine-5'-O-(3-[(35)S]thio)-triphosphate ([(35)S]GTPgammaS) binding assay using Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell membranes expressing cloned human dopamine D(2Long) (hD(2L)) receptors, whereas (-)3-PPP and (+)terguride displayed low intrinsic activity. Aripiprazole also had no effect on [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding to CHO-hD(2L) cells, while OPC-4392, (-)3-PPP and (+)terguride were partial agonists. In contrast, aripiprazole, OPC-4392, (-)3-PPP, and (+)terguride were inactive in a [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding assay using rat striatal membranes. However, at a more downstream level of CHO-hD(2L) cell signalling, these drugs all behaved as dopamine hD(2L) receptor partial agonists, with aripiprazole displaying an intrinsic activity 2 to 3-fold lower (inhibition of forskolin-induced adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate accumulation) and almost half as high (enhancement of adenosine triphosphate-stimulated [(3)H]arachidonic acid release) as OPC-4392, (-)3-PPP and (+)terguride. Dopamine activity was blocked in each case by (-)raclopride, which was inactive on its own in every assay, as were the antipsychotics haloperidol, olanzapine, ziprasidone and clozapine. Together, these data, whilst preclinical in nature, are consistent with clinical evidence suggesting the favorable antipsychotic profile of aripiprazole, compared with the other clinically ineffective partial agonists, is dependent on its low intrinsic activity at dopamine D(2) receptors. This study also highlights the limitations of using [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding assays to identify dopamine D(2) receptor partial agonists.

Animals↗

Loss of regulation by presynaptic dopamine D2 receptors of exogenous L-DOPA-derived dopamine release in the dopaminergic denervated striatum.

To determine whether dopamine release derived from exogenous l-DOPA is under inhibitory control of presynaptic dopamine D2 receptors in the dopaminergic denervated striatum, extracellular dopamine levels were measured in the striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats using in vivo brain microdialysis. Quinpirole, a D2 agonist, dose-dependently (0.01-3 mg/kg s.c.) inhibited endogenous dopamine release both in the intact and dopaminergic denervated striatum. The dose-response curve obtained from the denervated striatum showed a shift to the right. Administration of l-DOPA (30 mg/kg i.p.) with carbidopa (25 mg/kg i.p.) increased dopamine release to 130% of basal levels in the intact striatum and 770% of basal levels in the denervated striatum. In the intact striatum, dopamine release was continuously inhibited by quinpirole pretreatment (1 mg/kg s.c.) even after l-DOPA administration. In the denervated striatum, l-DOPA-derived dopamine release was not affected by quinpirole pretreatment. These results suggest that, in the striatum with dopaminergic denervation, regulation by presynaptic D2 receptors is still operative on endogenous dopamine release but it does not work on dopamine release derived from exogenously administered l-DOPA.

Animals↗

Tyrosine hydroxylase- and dopamine transporter-immunoreactive axons in the primate cerebellum. Evidence for a lobular- and laminar-specific dopamine innervation.

The cerebellum seems to play a critical role in many motor and cognitive functions, including those that are disturbed in schizophrenia. Although dopamine is known to influence the motor or cognitive functions mediated by other brain regions and to play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, the cerebellum has not been thought to be a target of dopamine-containing axons. However, given recent reports of dopamine receptors in the cerebellum, we sought to determine whether axons immunoreactive for the proteins involved in dopamine synthesis and reuptake are present in the cerebellum of macaque monkeys. We found that axons immunoreactive for the dopamine membrane transporter, a specific marker of dopamine axons, were present in high density, but only in certain lobules of the cerebellar vermis. In addition, these axons were found principally in the granule cell layer, where they densely arborized immediately subjacent to the Purkinje cells. Similarly, axons labeled for tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis, were also present in high density in the granule cell layer of the same lobules of the vermis. In contrast, axons immunoreactive for dopamine beta-hydroxylase, a marker of noradrenergic axons, exhibited a different and more widespread pattern of innervation. These findings are consistent with a dopamine innervation of the primate cerebellum that is both lobular- and laminar-specific, and they suggest that dopamine may play a role in certain cerebellar functions.

Animals↗

Distribution of D1- and D2-dopamine receptors, and dopamine and its metabolites in the human brain.

Densities and distribution of D1-dopamine and D2-dopamine receptors were investigated in vitro using [3H]SCH 23390 and [3H]raclopride in receptor binding assays and autoradiography on human post mortem whole hemisphere slices to serve as anatomical correlates to PET studies using [11C]SCH 23390 and [11C]raclopride. In addition, the levels of dopamine and its metabolites were determined by HPLC in various brain regions. Both dopamine receptor subtypes, as well as dopamine, HVA and DOPAC, were primarily found in the basal ganglia. Very high densities of D1-dopamine receptors were found particularly in the medial caudate nucleus, whereas D2-dopamine receptors were evenly distributed throughout the caudate. The densities of D1- and D2-dopamine receptors were similar in the caudate nucleus and the putamen, whereas there were 4 to 7 times higher densities of the D1- than of the D2-dopamine receptors in several limbic and neocortical regions. The receptor distribution in the autoradiographic study was consistent with that demonstrated in the living human brain using [11C]SCH 23390 and [11C]raclopride.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

D2 receptor antagonists do not modify guanine nucleotide-sensitive interactions between dopamine and D1 dopamine receptors under in vitro conditions.

This study investigated possible D1/D2 interactions in rat and bovine striatal tissue by examining the effects of D2 antagonists on the action of dopamine at D1 dopamine receptors. In addition, the extent to which D2 antagonists may induce an agonist low-affinity state of the D1 receptor was evaluated in comparison with the effects of the guanine nucleotide analogue 5'-guanylyl-imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p]. In saturation experiments dopamine caused a dose-dependent decrease in rat striatal and bovine caudate D1 receptor density. This effect of dopamine, which has been shown to be sensitive to Gpp (NH)p, was not altered by pretreatment with either of the selective D2 antagonists eticlopride (200 nM) or domperidone (200 nM). Results from displacement experiments show that the affinity of dopamine for D1 receptors, and the proportion of receptors in an agonist high-affinity state, are reduced by Gpp(NH)p (100 microM) but not by eticlopride. A molar excess of dopamine (100 microM) promotes the dissociation of (+/-)-8-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine-7-o l ([3H]SCH 23390) from rat striatal D1 receptors at a rate that is significantly slower than when dissociation is initiated using 1 microM piflutixol. After pretreament with Gpp(NH)p, [3H]SCH 23390 dissociation induced by dopamine occurred at an even slower rate. Pretreatment with eticlopride had no effect on the dopamine-induced rate of [3H]SCH 23390 dissociation. These results indicate that all experimental approaches detected dopamine effects at D1 receptors that are Gpp(NH)p sensitive and D2 antagonist insensitive and provide no evidence to support a D1/D2 link operating at the receptor level.

Animals↗

Changes in the kinetics of dopamine release and uptake have differential effects on the spatial distribution of extracellular dopamine concentration in rat striatum.

The objective of this study was to examine whether the limited diffusion distance of dopamine in rat striatum produces spatial heterogeneity in the extracellular dopamine concentration on a dimensional scale of a few micrometers. Such heterogeneity would be significant because it would imply that the concentration of dopamine at a given receptor depends on the receptor's ultrastructural location. Spatially resolved measurements of extracellular dopamine were performed in the striatum of chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats with carbon fiber microdisk electrodes. Dopamine was monitored during electrical stimulation of the nigrostriatal pathway before and after administration of drugs that selectively affect the kinetics of evoked dopamine release and dopamine uptake. The effects of nomifensine (20 mg/kg), L-DOPA (250 mg/kg), and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (250 mg/kg) on the amplitude of the stimulation responses were examined. The outcome of these experiments was compared with predictions derived from a mathematical model that combines diffusion with the kinetics of release and uptake. The results demonstrate that the extracellular dopamine concentration is spatially heterogeneous on a micrometer scale and that changing the kinetics of dopamine release and uptake has different effects on this spatial distribution. The impact of these results on brain neurochemistry is considered.

Animals↗

Potassium channel blockers inhibit D2 dopamine, but not A1 adenosine, receptor-mediated inhibition of striatal dopamine release.

D2 dopamine autoreceptors and A1 adenosine heteroreceptors inhibit the evoked release of dopamine from rat striatum. We examined the role of potassium channels in this modulation by determining the effects of two potassium channel blockers, 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium, on the modulation of electrically stimulated release of endogenous dopamine from rat striatal slices. Maximally effective concentrations of the D2 dopamine receptor agonist N-0437 (10 nM) and of adenosine (50 microM) caused a 30% inhibition of evoked dopamine overflow, and their effects were additive. When coperfused with N-0437, both 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium blocked the inhibition caused by N-0437 in a dose-dependent manner. 4-Aminopyridine was approximately three orders of magnitude more potent than tetraethylammonium, with complete blockade occurring at 3 microM and 1 mM, respectively. Binding experiments confirmed that neither 4-aminopyridine nor tetraethylammonium was a direct-acting D2 dopamine receptor antagonist at the concentration necessary to block the release-modulatory effect of D2 receptor activation. In contrast, the inhibitory modulation produced by adenosine was not affected by 4-aminopyridine (30 microM) or tetraethylammonium (1 mM). These results suggest that D2 dopamine and A1 adenosine receptors inhibit dopamine release in the striatum by different mechanisms. D2 dopamine autoreceptor action appears to involve potassium channels, whereas A1 adenosine receptor action does not.

4-Aminopyridine↗

Cumulative effect of norepinephrine and dopamine carrier blockade on extracellular dopamine increase in the nucleus accumbens shell, bed nucleus of stria terminalis and prefrontal cortex.

We investigated, by microdialysis in various brain areas, the possibility that dopamine could be captured by the norepinephrine transporter when the dopamine transporter is pharmacologically blocked. Administration of reboxetine, a selective blocker of the norepinephrine transporter, 20 min after the administration of GBR 12909, a selective blocker of the dopamine transporter, produced an increase of dopamine output in the nucleus accumbes shell (+408% above basal) greater than that obtained by GBR 12909 alone (+308% above basal). On the contrary, reboxetine did not increase further the dopamine output produced by GBR 12909 in the nucleus accumbens core or in the dorsal caudate, areas lacking a consistent noradrenergic innervations. A cumulative effect of dopamine and norepinephrine transporter blockade on the output of dopamine in dialysates was also observed in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis and in the prefrontal cortex. This study shows that dopamine extracellular concentration can be elevated by norepinephrine transporter blockade, even in areas where the dopamine transporter is predominant, when the latter is pharmacologically blocked. This phenomenon may have relevance in psychostimulant dependence as well as in antidepressant pharmacology.

Animals↗

Increased dopamine receptor signaling and dopamine receptor-G protein coupling in denervated striatum.

Chronic interruption of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway leads to sensitized dopaminergic responses in striatum. We attempted to explore the mechanism(s) underlying this dopaminergic supersensitivity by assessing dopamine receptor signaling and receptor-G protein coupling in unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. Dopamine-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity as well as dopamine-activated guanosine 5'-O-(3-[(35)S]thiotriphosphate) ([(35)S]GTPgammaS) binding and [(3)H]palmitate incorporation by Galpha proteins were enhanced in tissues obtained from denervated striata without apparent changes in Galpha protein levels. Moreover, high-affinity binding sites of the D(1) dopamine receptor increased in lesioned compared with control striata without altering the expression level of the receptor. These denervation-mediated changes appear to correlate with the increase in D(1) dopamine receptor binding sites that co-immunoprecipitated with Galphas(olf)/q(11) proteins. In contrast, the total number of D(2) receptor binding sites was increased, yielding an increase in absolute number of high-affinity sites without significant changes in the proportion of high-affinity sites. Stimulation of the D(2) dopamine receptor enhanced coupling to Galphai protein; this was increased in the striata lesioned. The results provide an important molecular mechanism by which dopamine receptor-regulated signaling is enhanced following denervation of dopaminergic input to striatum. Although D(1) dopamine receptor supersensitivity appears to be mediated by enhanced coupling of the receptor to its G proteins, sensitization in the D(2) dopamine receptor system is mediated by increased D(2) receptor density and enhanced D(2) receptor-Gi protein coupling.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗