MIF-1 attenuates spiroperidol alteration of striatal dopamine D2 receptor ontogeny

Long-term postnatal treatment of rats with the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, spiroperidol, results in the impaired development of striatal D2 receptors. Because the tripeptide prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide (MIF-1) attenuates haloperidol-induced up-regulation of striatal dopamine D2 receptors in adult rats, we studied the effect of MIF-1 on the spiroperidol-induced alteration of striatal D2 ontogeny. Postnatal treatment of rats with spiroperidol (1.0 mg/kg/day, IP, x32 days from birth) resulted in a 74% decrease in the Bmax for [3H]spiroperidol binding with no change in the Kd at 5 weeks. When rats were studied at 8 weeks, in the absence of additional treatment, total specific [3H]spiroperidol binding was reduced by 59%. While MIF-1 alone (1.0 mg/kg/day, IP, x32 days from birth) had no effect on [3H]spiroperidol binding, MIF-1 completely attenuated the ontogenic impairment of striatal D2 receptors that was produced by spiroperidol treatment. At 5 weeks the Bmax for [3H]spiroperidol binding was at the saline control level in the group of rats cotreated with spiroperidol and MIF-1. At 8 weeks, with no additional treatments, the specific binding of [3H]spiroperidol to striatum was also at control levels in the group cotreated with spiroperidol and MIF-1. These findings demonstrate that MIF-1 attenuates spiroperidol-induced impairment of development of striatal dopamine D2 receptors in rats.     

Further evidence for the involvement of D2, but not D1 dopamine receptors in dopaminergic control of striatal cholinergic transmission

The relative involvement of D₁ (cyclase linked) and D₂ dopamine receptors in dopaminergic control of striatal cholinergic transmission has been investigated in the rat by comparing the effects of SKF 38393 and LY 141865 (which act as specific agonists at D₁ and D₂ dopamine receptors, respectively) on striatal acetylcholine and dopamine metabolite concentrations and on the potassium-evoked release of ³H-acetylcholine from rat striatal slices. LY 141865 given systemically produced a dose-dependent increase in acetylcholine concentrations and a concomitant reduction of homovanillic and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in the striatum (ED₅₀ 0.1 mg/kg) whereas SKF 38393 (1–30 mg/kg) did not. SKF 38393 (30 mg/kg) also failed to modify the LY 141865 (1 mg/kg) induced alterations of striatal acetylcholine and dopamine metabolite levels when given concomitantly with the latter compound. In experiments $\text{in vitro}$, LY 141865 reduced (EC₅₀ 0.14 μM), whereas SKF 38393 (up to 100 μM) failed to affect, the potassium-evoked release of ³H-acetylcholine from striatal slices. When given concomitantly with LY 141865, SKF 38393 (10 μM) did not modify the ability of the former compound to diminish striatal ³H-acetylcholine release. Finally, SKF 38393 also failed to affect the release of striatal ³H-acetylcholine after chemical lesion of the nigro-striatal dopaminergic pathway. The present results provide evidence for the involvement of D₂ but not D₁ dopamine receptors in dopaminergic control of striatal cholinergic transmission and indicate that D₁ dopamine receptors do not exert any modulatory influence on D₂ dopamine receptor mediated dopaminergic transmission.     

The effect of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonists on inositol phosphate turnover in rat striatal slices

There is a lot of controversy in the literature about the role of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor stimulation on the turnover of phosphoinositols, and phosphoinositols are one of the important second messenger. In order to resolve this controversy, the effect of dopamine receptor stimulation on turnover of phosphoinositols was studied by estimation of the accumulation of individual labelled inositols in rat striatal slices which were prelabelled with [3H]myoinositol. Incubation of the prelabelled striatal slices with 1 microM of quinpirole, D2 specific agonist or with 1 microM of SKF-38393, D1 specific agonist, did not affect the accumulation of basal level of either inositol monophosphate, or inositol biphosphate, or inositol triphosphate. In addition, in conclusion of D1 specific antagonist cis-flupentixol or D2 specific antagonist sulpiride did not affect the basal levels of inositol phosphates. The activity of enzyme phospholipase-C which produces these inositol phosphates was also measured in rat striatal membrane. Incubation of rat striatal membrane with either agonist quinpirole or SKF-38393 did not change the basal level of phospholipase C. Our data thus indicate that occupation of dopamine receptors did not affect the inositol phosphate system in rat striatum.     

Evidence for dopamine D-2 receptors on cholinergic interneurons in the rat caudate-putamen

The aziridinium ion of ethylcholine (AF64A) is a neurotoxin that has demonstrated selectivity for cholinergic neurons. Unilateral stereotaxic injection of AF64A into the caudate-putamen of rats, resulted in a decrease in dopamine D-2 receptors as evidenced by a decrease in [3H]-sulpiride binding. Dopamine D-1 receptors, labeled with [3H]-SCH 23390, were unchanged. The efficacy of the lesion was demonstrated by the reduction of Na+-dependent high affinity choline uptake sites labeled with [3H]-hemicholinium-3. These data indicate that a population of D-2 receptors are postsynaptic on cholinergic interneurons within the striatum of rat brain.     

N-linked oligosaccharides are responsible for rat striatal dopamine D2 receptor heterogeneity

The glycoprotein nature of the binding subunit of the dopamine D2 receptor in rat striatum has been examined by photoaffinity labeling receptor preparations with N-(p-azido-m-[125I]iodophenethyl)spiperone followed by treatment of crude membrane receptor or receptor fractions isolated from sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gels with endo- and exoglycosidases. The major photoaffinity labeled protein migrates as a heterogeneous species on 10% SDS polyacrylamide gels and ranges from 130,000 to 75,000 relative molecular mass (Mr). This heterogeneity can be explained by glycosylation of the receptor by complex-type N-linked oligosaccharides. Three fractions of labeled receptor were isolated from SDS polyacrylamide gels over a range of 130,000 to 75,000 Mr; after digestion with peptide-N4-[N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl] asparagine amidase, all fractions yielded a single peptide approximately 40,000 Mr. Treatment of photoaffinity labeled membranes with alpha-mannosidase was without effect. The dopamine D2 receptor appears to contain substantial amounts of sialic acid as treatment of photoaffinity labeled membranes with neuraminidase increased the receptor mobility on SDS polyacrylamide gels to a species of 50,000-54,000 Mr. Treatment of the receptor with neuraminidase followed by endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase did not change the electrophoretic migration pattern from that seen after neuraminidase treatment alone, suggesting that the binding peptide contains no serine- or threonine-linked oligosaccharides. A smaller binding peptide of approximately 31,000 Mr is also apparent in crude photoaffinity labeled membranes. This material also contains N-linked oligosaccharide. Complete removal of N-linked oligosaccharide from the dopamine D2 receptor did not change the rank order potency of agonist and antagonist compounds to compete for [3H]spiperone binding to crude membrane fractions. The dopamine D2 receptor represents a highly glycosylated neural receptor.     

Age‐dependent dystonia in striatal Gγ7 deficient mice is reversed by the dopamine D2 receptor agonist pramipexole

Gγ7 is enriched in striatum and forms a heterotrimeric complex with Gα_olf/Gβ, which is coupled to D1 receptor (D1R). Here, we attempted to characterize the pathophysiological, neurochemical, and pharmacological features of mice deficient of Gγ7 gene. Gγ7 knockout mice exhibited age‐dependent deficiency in rotarod behavior and increased dystonia‐like clasping reflex without loss of striatal neurons. The neurochemical basis for the motor manifestations using immunoblot analysis revealed increased levels of D1R, ChAT and NMDA receptor subunits (NR1 and NR2B) concurrent with decreased levels of D2R and Gα_olf, possibly because of the secondary changes of decreased Gα_olf/Gγ7‐mediated D1R transmission. These behavioral and neurochemical changes are closely related to those observed in Huntington's disease (HD) human subjects and HD model mice. Taking advantage of the finding of D2R down‐regulation in Gγ7 knockout mice and the dopamine‐mediated synergistic relationship in the control of locomotion between D2R‐striatopallidal and D1R‐stritonigral neurons, we hypothesized that D2‐agonist pramipexole would reverse behavioral dyskinesia caused by defective D1R/Gα_olf signaling. Indeed, the rotarod deficiency and clasping reflex were reversed by pramipexole treatment under chronic administration. These findings suggest that Gγ7 knockout mice could be a new type of movement disorders, including HD and useful for the evaluation of therapeutic candidates.     

Behavioral control by striatal adenosine A2A‐dopamine D2 receptor heteromers

G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCR) exhibit the ability to form receptor complexes that include molecularly different GPCR (ie, GPCR heteromers), which endow them with singular functional and pharmacological characteristics. The relative expression of GPCR heteromers remains a matter of intense debate. Recent studies support that adenosine A_2A receptors (A_2AR) and dopamine D₂ receptors (D₂R) predominantly form A_2AR‐D₂R heteromers in the striatum. The aim of the present study was evaluating the behavioral effects of pharmacological manipulation and genetic blockade of A_2AR and D₂R within the frame of such a predominant striatal heteromeric population. First, in order to avoid possible strain‐related differences, a new D₂R‐deficient mouse with the same genetic background (CD‐1) than the A_2AR knock‐out mouse was generated. Locomotor activity, pre‐pulse inhibition (PPI) and drug‐induced catalepsy were then evaluated in wild‐type, A_2AR and D₂R knock‐out mice, with and without the concomitant administration of either the D₂R agonist sumanirole or the A_2AR antagonist SCH442416. SCH442416‐mediated locomotor effects were demonstrated to be dependent on D₂R signaling. Similarly, a significant dependence on A_2AR signaling was observed for PPI and for haloperidol‐induced catalepsy. The results could be explained by the existence of one main population of striatal postsynaptic A_2AR‐D₂R heteromers, which may constitute a relevant target for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other neuropsychiatric disorders.     

Effect of amygdaloid kindling on rat striatal dopamine D1- and D2-receptors

The effect of kindling on dopaminergic (DA) neurotransmission was assessed by measuring dopamine D₁- and D₂-receptor binding in the dorsal and ventral striatum of rats either 2 hours (short-term) or 3–4 weeks (long-term) after the last kindled seizure. Kindling did not have any significant long-term effect on DA D₂-receptor K_d or B_max values in the dorsal or ventral striatum or on DA D₁-receptor parameters in the dorsal striatum. The short-term effect of kindled seizures was to abolish the asymmetry in DA D₂-receptor density observed in the dorsal striatum of control rats. DA D₁-receptor density was also increased in the dorsal striatum contralateral to the kindled amygdala of short-term rats. The short-term effects support the notion that limbic seizures can modify the lateral imbalance of DA activity in the striatum.     

Correspondency between different affinity states and target size of the bovine striatal D2 dopamine receptor

Target size analysis of the D2 dopamine receptor in the bovine striatum revealed the presence of two populations of this receptor, in terms of apparent molecular size. The size of large target was approximately 150 X 10(4) daltons, while that of small target was 11 X 10(4) daltons. The antagonist [3H]spiperone labeled both large and small sized D2 receptors, while agonist [3H]n-propylapomorphine (NPA) labeled only the former. In addition, the apparent molecular size of a functional unit for the GTP effect was calculated to be 150 X 10(4) daltons, such appearing to be identical to that of large target sized D2 dopamine receptors. Therefore, the large sized D2 receptor, probably an oligomeric complex consisting of D2 receptor recognition protein and guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, has a high affinity for both agonist and antagonist, while the small sized receptor, probably a monomeric or dimeric receptor recognition protein, has a high affinity for only the antagonist.     

The tyrosine phosphatase Shp-2 interacts with the dopamine D(1) receptor and triggers D(1) -mediated Erk signaling in striatal neurons

We report a novel mechanism for dopamine D(1) receptor (D(1) R)-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erk) activation in rat striatum. Erk signaling depends on phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events mediated by specific kinases and phosphatases. The tyrosine phosphatase Shp-2, that is required for Erk activation by tyrosine kinase receptors, has been recently shown to regulate signaling downstream of few G protein-coupled receptors. We show that the D(1) R interacts with Shp-2, that D(1) R stimulation results in Shp-2 tyrosine phosphorylation and activation in primary striatal neuronal cultures and that D(1) R/Shp-2 interaction is required for transmitting D(1) R-dependent signaling to Erk1/2 activation. D(1) R-mediated Erk1/2 phosphorylation in cultured striatal neurons is in fact abolished by over-expression of the inactive Shp-2(C/S) mutant and by small interfering RNA-induced Shp-2 silencing. Moreover, by using selective inhibitors we show that both D(1) R-induced Shp-2 activation and Erk1/2 phosphorylation are dependent on the cyclic AMP/protein kinase A pathway and require Src. These results, which were substantiated also in transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells, provide a novel mechanism by which to converge D(1) R signaling to the Erk pathway and suggest that Shp-2 or the D(1) R/Shp-2 interface could represent a potential drug target for disorders of dopamine transmission involving malfunctioning of D(1) R signaling.     

Design, synthesis and pharmacological profile of novel dopamine D2 receptor ligands

The present study describes the synthesis and pharmacological profile of three novel heterocyclic compounds originally designed, on the basis of bioisosterism, as dopamine D2 receptor ligands: 1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl]-4-phenyl-piperazine (LASSBio-579), 1-phenyl-4-(1-phenyl-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-ylmethyl)-piperazine (LASSBio-580) and 1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-ylmethyl]-4-phenyl-piperazine (LASSBio-581). Binding studies performed on brain homogenate indicated that all three compounds bind selectively to D2 receptors. In addition, electrophysiological studies carried out in cultured hippocampal neurons suggested that LASSBio-579 and 581 act as D2 agonists, whereas LASSBio-580 acts as a D2 antagonist.     

Dtorsin, the Drosophila ortholog of the early-onset dystonia TOR1A (DYT1), plays a novel role in dopamine metabolism

Dystonia represents the third most common movement disorder in humans. At least 15 genetic loci (DYT1-15) have been identified and some of these genes have been cloned. TOR1A (formally DYT1), the gene responsible for the most common primary hereditary dystonia, encodes torsinA, an AAA ATPase family protein. However, the function of torsinA has yet to be fully understood. Here, we have generated and characterized a complete loss-of-function mutant for dtorsin, the only Drosophila ortholog of TOR1A. Null mutation of the X-linked dtorsin was semi-lethal with most male flies dying by the pre-pupal stage and the few surviving adults being sterile and slow moving, with reduced cuticle pigmentation and thin, short bristles. Third instar male larvae exhibited locomotion defects that were rescued by feeding dopamine. Moreover, biochemical analysis revealed that the brains of third instar larvae and adults heterozygous for the loss-of-function dtorsin mutation had significantly reduced dopamine levels. The dtorsin mutant showed a very strong genetic interaction with Pu (Punch: GTP cyclohydrolase), the ortholog of the human gene underlying DYT14 dystonia. Biochemical analyses revealed a severe reduction of GTP cyclohydrolase protein and activity, suggesting that dtorsin plays a novel role in dopamine metabolism as a positive-regulator of GTP cyclohydrolase protein. This dtorsin mutant line will be valuable for understanding this relationship and potentially other novel torsin functions that could play a role in human dystonia.     

The mechanism of intrinsic amplification of hyperpolarizations and spontaneous bursting in striatal cholinergic interneurons

Striatal cholinergic interneurons pause their ongoing firing in response to sensory stimuli that have acquired meaning as a signal for learned behavior. In slices, these cells exhibit both spontaneous activity patterns and spontaneous pauses very similar to those seen in vivo. The mechanisms responsible for ongoing firing and spontaneous pauses were studied in striatal slices using perforated patch recordings. All hyperpolarizations, whether spontaneous or generated by current injection, were amplified and shaped by two hyperpolarization-activated currents. Hyperpolarization onsets were regeneratively amplified by a potassium current (KIR) whose activation promoted further hyperpolarization. The termination of hyperpolarizations was controlled by a time-dependent nonspecific cation current (HCN). The duration and even the sizes of spontaneous and driven hyperpolarizations and pauses in spontaneous activity in cholinergic interneurons are largely autonomous properties of the neuron, rather than reflections of characteristics of the input eliciting the response.     

Evidence for a dopamine receptor subtype sensitive to combination of D1 with D2 antagonist in measurement of G-protein activity using rat striatal membranes

In rat striatal membranes, various kinds of dopamine receptor agonists stimulated low-Km GTPase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. This stimulation by bromocriptine, pergolide and apomorphine was partially inhibited by sulpiride (SUL), a D2-selective antagonist, markedly inhibited by combination of SUL with SCH 23390 (SCH), a D1-selective antagonist, and not modified by SCH alone. The stimulation by BAM-1110 was resistant to SUL or SCH alone but abolished by combination of SUL with SCH. These findings suggest the presence of another subtype of a dopamine receptor in a functional in vitro bioassay system in rat striata.     

Structural insights into the human D1 and D2 dopamine receptor signaling complexes

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Purification of bovine striatal dopamine D-2 receptor by affinity chromatography

Bovine striatal dopamine D-2 receptor has been purified approximately 2000-fold by affinity chromatography. The receptor, solubilized with cholic acid and sodium chloride, was adsorbed on haloperidol-linked Sepharose CL-6B and eluted with spiroperidol. The adsorption of receptor to the affinity matrix was biospecific as preincubation of the solubilized preparation with D-2 receptor agonists or antagonists blocked retention of receptor. The process also displayed stereoselectivity with respect to (+)- and (-)-butaclamol. Nondopaminergic agents such as mianserin and propranolol failed to exhibit any effect on the adsorption process. Elution of the receptor was also biospecific, as dopaminergic drugs were most effective (spiroperidol greater than haloperidol greater than dopamine) in eluting the bound receptor; whereas other agents, e.g. propranolol, mianserin, and acetic acid, were only slightly effective. One-cycle affinity purification resulted in a recovery of 12% of the original membrane-bound dopamine D-2 receptor with a specific activity of 169,600 fmol/mg of protein as assayed with [3H]spiroperidol binding. The order of potency of D-2 agonists (N-propylnorapomorphine greater than NO434 greater than apomorphine greater than dopamine) and antagonists (spiroperidol greater than (+)-butaclamol greater than domperidone) with the purified preparation was found to be similar to that of the solubilized dopamine D-2 receptor.     

Dopamine release is impaired in a mouse model of DYT1 dystonia

Early onset torsion dystonia, the most common form of hereditary primary dystonia, is caused by a mutation in the TOR1A gene, which codes for the protein torsinA. This form of dystonia is referred to as DYT1. We have used a transgenic mouse model of DYT1 dystonia [human mutant-type (hMT)1 mice] to examine the effect of the mutant human torsinA protein on striatal dopaminergic function. Analysis of striatal tissue dopamine (DA) and metabolites using HPLC revealed no difference between hMT1 mice and their non-transgenic littermates. Pre-synaptic DA transporters were studied using in vitro autoradiography with [(3)H]mazindol, a ligand for the membrane DA transporter, and [(3)H]dihydrotetrabenazine, a ligand for the vesicular monoamine transporter. No difference in the density of striatal DA transporter or vesicular monoamine transporter binding sites was observed. Post-synaptic receptors were studied using [(3)H]SCH-23390, a ligand for D(1) class receptors, [(3)H]YM-09151-2 and a ligand for D(2) class receptors. There were again no differences in the density of striatal binding sites for these ligands. Using in vivo microdialysis in awake animals, we studied basal as well as amphetamine-stimulated striatal extracellular DA levels. Basal extracellular DA levels were similar, but the response to amphetamine was markedly attenuated in the hMT1 mice compared with their non-transgenic littermates (253 +/- 71% vs. 561 +/- 132%, p < 0.05, two-way anova). These observations suggest that the mutation in the torsinA protein responsible for DYT1 dystonia may interfere with transport or release of DA, but does not alter pre-synaptic transporters or post-synaptic DA receptors. The defect in DA release as observed may contribute to the abnormalities in motor learning as previously documented in this transgenic mouse model, and may contribute to the clinical symptoms of the human disorder.