Repeated psychostimulants induce electroencephalographic (EEG) changes, which reflect adaptation of the neural substrate related to dopaminergic pathways. To study the role of dopamine receptors in EEG changes, we examined the effect of apomorphine, the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH-23390, and the D2 receptor antagonist, haloperidol, on EEG in rats. For single and repeated apomorphine treatment groups, the rats received saline or apomorphine for 4 days followed by a 3-day withdrawal period and then apomorphine (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) challenge after pretreatment with saline, SCH-23390, or haloperidol on the day of the experiment. EEGs from the frontal and parietal cortices were recorded. On the frontal cortex, apomorphine decreased the power of all the frequency bands in the single treatment group, and increased the theta (4.5~8 Hz) and alpha (8~13 Hz) powers in the repeated treatment group. Changes in both groups were reversed to the control values by SCH-23390. On the parietal cortex, single apomorphine treatment decreased the power of some frequency bands, which were reversed by haloperidol but not by SCH-23390. Repeated apomorphine treatment did not produce significant changes in the power profile. These results show that adaptation of dopamine pathways by repeated apomorphine treatment could be identified with EEG changes such as increases in theta and alpha power of the frontal cortex, and this adaptation may occur through changes in the D1 receptor and/or the D2 receptor.
Animals ; Apomorphine ; Benzazepines ; Dopamine ; Electroencephalography ; Haloperidol ; Rats ; Receptors, Dopamine ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; Receptors, Dopamine D2

The results regarding an association between the polymorphism sites in the dopamine D1 receptor gene and schizophrenia compelled us to study the distribution of the polymorphism in Korean schizophrenia and controls. Eighty-eight schizophrenic patients and normal controls were examined by case-control study for distribution of the polymorphism of the dopamine D1 receptor gene in Korean popualtion to minimize the effect of racial differencies in gene frequencies. The frequencies of the B1 and B2 in schizophrenic patients were 0.11 and 9.89, respectively. And 0.10 and 0.90 in normal control. There was no significant differences in the frequencies in the allele B1 and 2 between schizophrenic patients and normal controls. The author present here the evidence of a lack of alleic association between the polymorphism of the dopamine D1 receptor gene and Korean schizophrenic. The assumption that the dopamine D1 receptor gene has genetic role in the development of schizophrenia was not supported by this case-control study.
Alleles* ; Case-Control Studies ; Dopamine* ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; Schizophrenia*

BACKGROUND: Dopamine receptors have been regarded as a strong candidate involved in etiology of schizophrenia and a target for various antipsychotic drugs. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether dopamine D1 receptor(DRD1) gene polymorphisms would predict the treatment response to antipsychotics in schizophrenia. METHOD: One hundred thirty-four schizophrenic patients, who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were entered into a 48-week study. The psychopathology of the patients was assessed at baseline, 12th, 24th, 48th weeks of treatment by PANSS. Responders were defined by a 20% of the reduction in total PAnSS score at end point. The genomic DNA fragment corresponding to nucleotides of dopamine D1 receptor gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR). RESULT: Neither allelic frequencies nor genotypes for dopamine D1 receptor differed significantly between responders and non-responders. Also, there was no difference of changes of PANSS scores among three genotype groups of the dopamine D1 receptor. CONCLUSION: Allelic variation in the dopamine D1 gene is not associated with individual differences in antipsychotic response.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; DNA ; Dopamine* ; Genotype* ; Humans ; Individuality ; Nucleotides ; Psychopathology ; Receptors, Dopamine ; Receptors, Dopamine D1* ; Schizophrenia

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane receptors whose agonist-induced dynamic conformational changes trigger heterotrimeric G protein activation, followed by GRK-mediated phosphorylation and arrestin-mediated desensitization. Cytosolic regions of GPCRs have been studied extensively because they are direct contact sites with G proteins, GRKs, and arrestins. Among various cytosolic regions, the role of helix 8 is least understood, although a few studies have suggested that it is involved in G protein activation, receptor localization, and/or internalization. In the present study, we investigated the role of helix 8 in dopamine receptor signaling focusing on dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R). D1R couples exclusively to Gs, whereas D2R couples exclusively to Gi. Bioinformatic analysis implied that the sequences of helix 8 may affect GPCR-G protein coupling selectivity; therefore, we evaluated if swapping helix 8 between D1R and D2R changed G protein selectivity. Our results suggest that helix 8 is not involved in D1R-Gs or D2R-Gi coupling selectivity. Instead, we observed that D1R with D2R helix 8 or D1R with an increased number of hydrophobic residues in helix 8 relative to wild-type showed diminished β-arrestin-mediated desensitization, resulting in increased Gs signaling.
Arrestin ; Arrestins ; Computational Biology ; Cytosol ; Dopamine ; Family Characteristics ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; Membranes ; Phosphorylation ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; Receptors, Dopamine

Alterations in nitric oxide (NO) release in response to psychostimulants in the striatum cause a plastic change contributing to the development and expression of addiction. In this study, regulation of NO efflux evoked by acute cocaine in the dorsal striatum was investigated using real-time detection of NO in vivo. We found that acute systemic injection of cocaine (20 mg/kg) increased NO efflux, which was reduced by the intrastriatal infusion of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390 (7.5 nmol), and the dopamine D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole (5 nmol). Increased levels of NO efflux by acute cocaine were also reduced by the intrastriatal infusion of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, MK801 (2 nmol) and AP5 (2 nmol). These findings suggest that interactions of dopamine D1 receptors and NMDA receptors after acute exposure to cocaine participate in the upregulation of NO efflux in the dorsal striatum.
Benzazepines ; Cocaine ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; Dopamine ; Glutamic Acid ; N-Methylaspartate ; Nitric Oxide ; Plastics ; Quinpirole ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; Up-Regulation

PURPOSE: Dopamine plays a critical role in promoting sexual drive and penile erection through dopamine receptors. This study was performed to investigate whether the cavernousal nerve controls the expression of peripheral dopamine D1 receptors in rat penile tissues after cavernousal nerve injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats (n=20) were divided into two groups: a control group consisting of sham-operated rats (n=10) and an experimental group consisting of rats that underwent incision of the bilateral cavernous nerve (n=10). Three months later, the intracavernous pressure response was monitored using an intracavernous papaverine injection of 300 microgram. The expression of dopamine D1 receptor mRNA were studied using an RT-PCR method, and dopamine D1 receptor protein expression by Western blot analysis and immuno-histochemical staining in each group. The expressed band density of the RT-PCR and Western blot were measured by a densitometer. RESULTS: Erectile functions, as studied by intracavernosal papaverine injection at three months, were similar in both groups. The dopamine D1 receptor mRNA and protein expressions were significantly lower in the neurotomy group. The immuno-histochemical staining also showed a reduction in the dopamine D1 receptor expression in the neurotomy group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that dopamine D1 receptors in penile tissues were down-regulated following cavernousal nerve injury. These findings suggest that cavernousal nerve injury affects directly the reduction of dopamine D1 receptor expression, and that the action of dopamine on the cavernousal dopamine receptor will be affected in cavernousal nerve injured rats.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Dopamine* ; Down-Regulation* ; Humans ; Male ; Papaverine ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; Rats* ; Receptors, Dopamine ; Receptors, Dopamine D1* ; RNA, Messenger ; Wounds and Injuries

The globus pallidus occupies a critical position in the indirect pathway of the basal ganglia circuit, which regulates movement under both normal and pathological conditions. Previous studies have shown that the globus pallidus receives dopaminergic innervation from the axonal collaterals of nigrostriatal fibers. Both dopamine Dand Dlike receptors are expressed in the globus pallidus. The present study was aimed to investigate the direct in vivo electrophysiological effects of dopamine Dlike receptors in the globus pallidus of both normal and parkinsonian rats. Extracellular recordings of multi-barreled microelectrode were used in the present study. In normal rats, micro-pressure ejection of dopamine Dlike receptor agonist quinpirole induced different effects on the firing rate of globus pallidus neurons. In 24 out of the 61 pallidal neurons, quinpirole significantly increased the firing rate by (62.7 ± 11.2)%. In another 16 neurons, quinpirole decreased the spontaneous firing rate by (37.5 ± 2.9)%. Furthermore, co-application of dopamine Dlike receptor antagonist, sulpride, blocked quinpirole-induced modulation of the firing rate of pallidal neurons. On the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned side of parkinsonian rats, quinpirole increased the firing rate in 25 out of the 47 pallidal neurons by (64.2 ± 10.1)%, while decreased the firing rate in 11 neurons by (51.9 ± 6.2)%. Our findings suggest that activation of pallidal dopamine Dlike receptors may bidirectionally modulate the spontaneous firing of globus pallidus neurons in both normal and parkinsonian rats.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; Globus Pallidus ; metabolism ; Male ; Neurons ; Oxidopamine ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; metabolism ; Rats ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of the apoptosis-inducing effects of dopamine on K562 leukemia cells.

METHODSK562 cells were treated with DP2785, the dopamine receptors were detected with fluorescence spectrophotometer, UV spectrophotometer and fluorescence microscope; the contents of cAMP in K562 cells were measured; and the subtypes of dopamine receptor on K562 cells were analyzed by receptor blocking.

RESULTThe existence of dopamine receptors in K562 cells was demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy, UV spectrophotometer and fluorescence spectrophotometer. Dopamine enhanced the contents of cAMP in K562 cells. Dopamine receptors were blocked by both D1 and D2 antagonists.

CONCLUSIOND1 and D2 dopamine receptors may be involved in dopamine-induced apoptosis of K562 cells, and dopamine can also increase the contents of cAMP in K562 cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Dopamine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; metabolism ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by severe loss of substantia nigra dopamine (DA) neurons. The target region of substantia nigra DA neurons is the dorsal striatum. According to the classic model, activation of DA receptors on striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) modulates their intrinsic excitability. Activation of D1 receptors makes MSNs in the direct "Go" pathway more excitable, whereas activation of D2 receptors makes MSNs in the indirect "NoGo" pathway less excitable. Therefore increased DA increases the responsiveness of the Go pathway while decreases the responsiveness of the NoGo pathway. Both mechanisms increase motor output. Conversely, diminished DA will favor the inhibitory NoGo pathway. Therefore, DA has direct, "on-line" effect on motor performance. However, in addition to modulating the intrinsic excitability of MSNs "on-line", DA also modulates corticostriatal plasticity, therefore could potentially produce cumulative and long-lasting changes in corticostriatal throughput. Studies in my lab suggest that DA blockade leads to both direct motor performance impairment and D2 receptor dependent NoGo learning ("learned" motor inhibition) that gradually deteriorates motor performance. NoGo learning is experience dependent and task specific. It is different from blocked learning since NoGo learning impairs future performance even after DA is restored. More recent data from my lab suggest that NoGo learning in the absence of DA arises from increased LTP at the indirect pathway corticostriatal synapses and contributes significantly to PD-like motor symptoms. Our data and hypotheses suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for PD that targets directly signaling molecules for corticostriatal plasticity (e.g. the cAMP pathway and downstream signaling molecules) and prevents aberrant plasticity under conditions of DA denervation.
Corpus Striatum ; cytology ; Dopamine ; physiology ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; pathology ; Humans ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Parkinson Disease ; physiopathology ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; physiology ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; physiology ; Substantia Nigra ; pathology

L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is the most common treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, long term use of L-DOPA for PD therapy lead to abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) known as dyskinesia. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is enriched protein in basal ganglia, and inhibition of the protein reduces dyskinetic behavior of mice. Palmitoyl serotonin (PA-5HT) is a hybrid molecule patterned after arachidonoyl serotonin, antagonist of FAAH. However, the effect of PA-5HT on L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) in PD have not yet been elucidated. To investigate whether PA-5HT relieve LID in PD and decrease hyperactivation of dopamine D1 receptors, we used the 6-hydroxydopomine (6-OHDA)-lesioned mouse model of PD and treated the L-DOPA (20 mg/kg) for 10 days with PA-5HT (0.3 mg/kg/day). The number of wall contacts with the forelimb in the cylinder test was significantly decreased by 6-OHDA lesion in mice and the pharmacotherapeutic effect of L-DOPA was also revealed in PA-5HT-treated mice. Moreover, in AIMs test, PA-5HT-treated mice showed significant reduction of locomotive, axial, limb, and orofacial AIMs score compared to the vehicle-treated mice. LID-induced hyper-phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and overexpression of FosB/ΔFosB was markedly decreased in 6-OHDA-lesioned striatum of PA-5HT-treated mice, indicating that PA-5HT decreased the dopamine D1 receptor-hyperactivation induced by chronic treatment of L-DOPA in dopamine-denervated striatum. These results suggest that PA-5HT effectively attenuates the development of LID and enhance of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and FosB/ΔFosB expression in the hemi-parkinsonian mouse model. PA-5HT may have beneficial effect on the LID in PD.
Animals ; Basal Ganglia ; Dopamine ; Dyskinesias* ; Extremities ; Forelimb ; Humans ; Levodopa ; Mice* ; Oxidopamine ; Parkinson Disease ; Phosphorylation ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; Serotonin*