Coexistence of inhibitory dopamine D-1 and excitatory D-2 receptors on the same caudate nucleus neurons

Microiontophoretic studies using cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose were performed to determine whether or not dopamine D-1 and D-2 receptors co-exist in the same caudate nucleus (CN) neurons that receive inputs from the substantia nigra (SN), and in which spikes elicited by SN stimulation were blocked by domperidone, a selective D-2 antagonist. Iontophoretic application of dopamine produced a dose-dependent inhibition of spontaneous firing in 2 of 4 spontaneously active CN neurons and an increase in firing in the remaining 2 neurons. However, dopamine inhibited the glutamate-induced firing in 31 of 32 CN neurons that were not spontaneously active. Similar inhibition with iontophoretically applied SKF 38393, a selective D-1 agonist, was observed in 33 of 34 spontaneously inactive neurons tested. When the effects of dopamine, SKF 38393 and bromocriptine (D-2 agonist) were examined on the same CN neurons, the inhibitory effects of both dopamine and SKF 38393 were seen in 14 of 15 neurons, and both an inhibition by SKF 38393 and an excitation by bromocriptine were observed in 15 of 17 neurons. The inhibitory effects of dopamine and SKF 38393 were antagonized by haloperidol and SCH 23390 (D-1 antagonist) without being affected by domperidone. Furthermore, the dopamine-induced inhibition was converted to an excitation during simultaneous application of SCH 23390 in 6 of 10 CN neurons, and this excitation was antagonized by domperidone. These results strongly suggest that the inhibitory D-1 and excitatory D-2 receptors co-exist on the same CN neurons receiving inputs from the SN.     

6-Hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of nigral dopamine neurons: differential effect on nigral and striatal D-1 dopamine receptors

Dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase and 3H-SCH 23390 binding parameters were measured in the rat substantia nigra and striatum 15 days after the injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the medial forebrain bundle. The activity of nigral dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase and the binding of 3H-SCH 23390 to rat nigral D-1 dopamine receptors were markedly decreased after the lesion. On the contrary, 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway enhanced both adenylate cyclase activity and the density of 3H-SCH 23390 binding sites in striatal membrane preparations. The changes in 3H-SCH 23390 binding found in both nigral and striatal membrane preparations were associated with changes in the total number of binding sites with no modifications in their apparent affinity. The results indicate that: within the substantia nigra a fraction (30%) of D-1 dopamine receptors coupled to the adenylate cyclase is located on cell bodies and/or dendrites of dopaminergic neurons; striatal D-1 dopamine receptors are tonically innervated by nigrostriatal afferent fibers.     

Dopamine D-2 receptor-mediated excitation of caudate nucleus neurons from the substantia nigra

Microiontophoretic studies using cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose were performed to elucidate whether the excitatory response of caudate nucleus (CN) neurons upon stimulation of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra (SN) is mediated by the dopamine D-1 or D-2 receptor. There were rare convergent inputs from the SN and motor cortex (MC) in the CN neurons. Iontophoretic application of haloperidol and domperidone (dopamine D-2 receptor antagonist) produced dose-dependent inhibition of spikes elicited by SN stimulation in 25 of 42 and 50 of 82 CN neurons, respectively, however, no alterations of spikes elicited by MC stimulation occurred in any 11 neurons tested. Iontophoretically applied SCH 23390 (D-1 antagonist) did not inhibit the SN-induced spikes in any CN neurons, of which spikes were inhibited by domperidone. These results suggest that the SN-induced spikes are mediated by dopamine, which acts on postsynaptic D-2 receptors.     

Effects of zotepine, chlorpromazine and haloperidol on D-1, D-2, D-3 and D-4 subtypes of dopamine receptors in rat striatal and bovine caudate nucleus membranes

Inhibitory effects of zotepine (Zot) on D-1, D-2, D-3 and D-4 subtypes of dopamine (DA) receptors were investigated in crude synaptic membranes of rat striatum and bovine caudate nucleus and compared to those of chlorpromazine (CPZ) and haloperidol (HAL). From the IC₅₀-values of Zot, CPZ and HAL, the K-values of each drug are estimated as follows: 34.4, 152 and 244 nM (D-1, ³H-labeled cis-flupenthixol binding (1.0 nM) to rat membranes); 37.4, 7.1 and 2.4 nM (D-2, [³H]spiperone (Spi) binding (0.5 nM) to rat membranes in the presence of 0.1 μM ketanserin); 73.1, 15.2 and 22.4 nM (D-3, ³H-labeled N-propylapomorphine (NPA) binding (0.29 nM) to bovine membranes in the presence of 0.1 μM Spi); 9.5, 65.3 and 3.1 nM (D-4, [³H]NPA binding (0.29 nM) bovine membranes in the presence of 25 nM DA), respectively. Zot binds with higher affinity to D-4 but lower affinity to D-3 than to other subtypes. It is also presumed that Zot binds to D-1 with high affinity and D-2 and D-3 with low affinity compared to CPZ and HAL.     

Excitation of nigral dopamine neurons by the GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol is mediated via release of glutamate

Previous electrophysiological studies have shown that the GABA(A)-receptor agonist muscimol is able to markedly increase the firing rate of rat nigral dopamine (DA) neurons. This action of the drug is paradoxical since local microiontophoretic application of the drug is associated with a clearcut inhibition of this neurons. In the present electrophysiological study, an attempt was made to analyze the mechanism of this action of the drug. Administration of muscimol (0.25-4.0 mg/kg, i.v.) was associated with a dose-dependent increase in firing rate as well as an increased bursting activity of the nigral DA neurons. Both these effects of muscimol were clearly antagonised by intravenous administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK 801(1 mg/kg) or by intracerebroventricular administration of the broad-spectrum excitatory amino acid receptor antagonist kynurenic acid. Furthermore, pretreatment with PNU 156561A (40 mg/kg, i.v., 5-8h), a compound that raised endogenous kynurenic acid levels about 9 times, also clearly antagonised the actions of muscimol. Indeed, this treatment reversed the excitatory action of muscimol into an inhibitory effect on the nigral DA neurons. Here, we report that the excitatory action of muscimol is mediated indirectly by release of glutamate.     

Iron inhibits D-1 dopamine receptor coupled adenylate cyclase via G-proteins in the caudate nucleus of the rat.

The effects of iron ions (Fe(II)sulfate) on basal, forskolin, and dopamine-stimulated activity of adenylate cyclase in membrane preparations from caudate-putamen of the rat have been studied. Iron dose-dependently inhibited both basal and activated adenylate cyclase activity. In contrast to guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p), guanosine triphosphate (GTP) was found to enhance this inhibitory effect of iron ions. In addition, cholera toxin was able to antagonize the inhibitory effect of iron on forskolin-activated adenylate cyclase. In our preliminary study we suggest an interaction between iron and the guanine nucleotide regulatory subunit. However, further studies are necessary.     

Evidence that nigral GABA mediates behavioural responses elicited by striatal dopamine receptor stimulation

Bilateral intranigral administration of GABA-receptor blockers (picrotoxin or bicuculline) elicits catatonia not surmountable by administration of apomorphine, a dopamine (DA)-receptor agonist. Unilateral intranigral administration of GABA-receptor blockers ipsilateral to a lesion of nigro-striatal DA-neurons induced with 60H-DA, antagonizes the contralateral turning produced by apomorphine. The results indicate that behavioural responses elicited by striatal DA-receptor stimulation are effected through a GABA-mediated inhibition of pars reticulata neurons.     

D1 dopamine receptor stimulation increases GluR1 surface expression in nucleus accumbens neurons

The goal of this study was to understand how dopamine receptors, which are activated during psychostimulant administration, might influence glutamate-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity that are increasingly recognized as important to drug addiction. Regulation of the surface expression of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptor subunit GluR1 plays a critical role in long-term potentiation, a well-characterized form of synaptic plasticity. Primary cultures of rat nucleus accumbens neurons were used to examine whether dopamine receptor stimulation influences cell surface expression of GluR1, detected using antibody to the extracellular portion of GluR1 and fluorescence microscopy. Surface GluR1 labeling on processes of medium spiny neurons and interneurons was increased by brief (5-15 min) incubation with a D1 agonist (1 microm SKF 81297). This effect was attenuated by the D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (10 microm) and reproduced by the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin (10 microm). Labeling was decreased by glutamate (10-50 microm, 15 min). These results are the first to demonstrate modulation of AMPA receptor surface expression by a non-glutamatergic G protein-coupled receptor. Normally, this may enable ongoing regulation of AMPA receptor transmission in response to changes in the activity of dopamine projections to the nucleus accumbens. When dopamine receptors are over-stimulated during chronic drug administration, this regulation may be disrupted, leading to inappropriate plasticity in neuronal circuits governing motivation and reward.     

In vivo CREB phosphorylation mediated by dopamine and NMDA receptor activation in mouse hippocampus and caudate nucleus

The pattern of CREB phosphorylation was investigated in the caudate nucleus and hippocampus 10 min or 3 h after i.p. injection of dopamine or NMDA receptor agonists alone, or in combination with antagonists. Ten minutes after C57BL/6 J mice were injected with either the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF-38393 hydrobromide or NMDA, immunoreactivity of phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) was significantly increased in all parts of the caudate nucleus but not in hippocampal regions. However, 3 h after the injection of SKF-38393, pCREB levels in the caudate nucleus did not differ significantly from the pCREB levels in control animals, whereas pCREB levels were still elevated 3 h after NMDA injection. Except for the D1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390, which induced CREB phosphorylation in the caudate nucleus, dopamine and NMDA receptor antagonists had little effect on pCREB levels by themselves. However, the NMDA receptor antagonist CGS-19755 injected i.p. blocked both the NMDA- and SKF-38393-induced rise of pCREB levels in the caudate nucleus. Similarly, the D1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390 inhibited the effects produced by SKF-38393 or NMDA. Interestingly, the D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride also blocked the SKF-38393-triggered rise of pCREB. The results demonstrated that NMDA and dopamine receptors modulate pCREB levels in the caudate nucleus and suggest mutual permissive roles for both receptors.     

Disinhibition of nigral GABA output neurons mediates muscular rigidity elicited by striatal opioid receptor stimulation

Unilateral injection of bicuculline (12.5-50 ng) into the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) dose-dependently produced a tonic activity in the electromyogram (EMG), which was antagonized by coadministered muscimol. Bilateral lesions of the caudate nucleus with kainic acid failed to affect the EMG activity produced by unilateral injection of bicuculline into the SNR. Administration of muscimol (12.5 and 25 ng) into the SNR antagonized the tonic activity in the EMG produced by morphine (15 mg/kg i.p.), whereas bicuculline (50 ng) enhanced it. These results suggest that an impairment in the GABAergic neurotransmission in the SNR is relevant for mediating the tonic activity in the EMG produced by morphine and that GABAergic mechanisms in the SNR play an important role in the modulating the opioid-induced alterations in the striatal function.     

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.     

Excitation and inhibition of neurons in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis following periaqueductal gray stimulation

Electrical stimulation (3-4 shocks, 300 Hz, 30-150 microamperemeter) of the periaqueductal gray matter (CG) or dorsal raphé nucleus (DR) of decerebrate cats reduced or abolished the jaw-opening reflex response evoked by stimulation of either the tooth pulp or infraorbital nerve. In addition, CG or DR stimulation inhibited the response of 12 out of 16 trigeminal nucleus caudalis neurons to activation of their sensory afferent inputs. Ten other neurons recorded in the same sites, and often at the same time, but which did not respond to the sensory inputs utilized, were excited by identical stimuli to CG or DR. This excitatory response was blocked by intravenously administered naloxone (0.1-0.2 mg/kg). It is suggested that those neurons which are excited by CG and DR stimulation may be interneurons involved in pre- and post-synaptic inhibition of sensory transmission during stimulus-produced or narcotic analgesia.     

Pharmacological and molecular basis for dopamine D-2 receptor diversity

This review will focus on the main lines of evidence that suggest the existence of multiple types of dopamine D-2 receptors. Dopamine D-2 receptors share structural elements suggesting that they belong to a gene superfamily classified as G-protein-coupled receptors and show an archetypical topology predicted to consist of seven putative transmembrane domains. Activation of D-2 receptors results in a variety of responses, including inhibition of cyclic AMP formation, inhibition of phosphoinositol turnover, increase of K-channel activity, and identified, nor has the possible hierarchy of these regulatory proteins in transforming the incoming signal into a change of second-messenger levels. A lot of experimental data support the hypothesis that there are multiple signal-processing pathways activated by dopamine through D-2-receptor stimulation. Recently, the identification of dopaminergic drugs that discriminate among the different transduction pathways and the isolation of distinct cDNAs encoding proteins that share binding profile indicative of D-2 receptors clearly indicate multiple forms of D-2 receptors. Pharmacologically, at least two distinct categories of dopamine D-2 receptors exist in rat pituitary. The first (D-2a) is insensitive to BHT 920 and coupled to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity; the second (D-2b) is activated by BHT 920 and linked to voltage-dependent K channels. The two types of dopamine D-2 receptors differ in their structure, G-protein-coupled and effector. Each of the three basic receptor units shows a certain degree of heterogeneity, which may affect the quality and the kinetic of the response. This variety may represent the molecular basis for the diversity in pharmacological and functional profiles of different dopamine D-2 receptors located in various brain areas and peripheral tissues.     

Hyperactivity induced by stimulation of separate dopamine D-1 and D-2 receptors in rats with bilateral 6-OHDA lesions

The effects of DA agonists and antagonists with different dopamine (DA) D-1 and D-2 receptor selectivity have been studied in rats with bilateral 6-OHDA lesions. The D-1 agonist SK & F 38393, the D-2 agonist pergolide and the mixed agonist apomorphine all induced marked hyperactivity in lesioned rats in doses which were without stimulant effect in sham-operated animals. The hyperactivity induced by SK & F 38393 was blocked by the DA D-1 antagonist SCH 23390, but unaffected by the D-2 antagonists spiroperidol or clebopride. Pergolide-induced hyperactivity showed the reverse selectivity. The mixed D-1/D-2 antagonists, cis(Z)-flupentixol and cis(Z)-clopenthixol, however blocked the effect of both agonists. Apomorphine-induced hyperactivity was neither blocked by selective D-1 nor D-2 antagonists, but was dose-dependently inhibited by cis(Z)-flupentixol and cis(Z)-clopenthixol. Potent blockade was also obtained by combined treatment with SCH 23390 and spiroperidol, indicating the need of blocking both D-1 and D-2 receptors simultaneously. The results indicate that D-1 and D-2 receptor function can be independently manipulated in denervated rats and they confirm similar results obtained in rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions using circling behaviour.     

Responses of cat cerebellar cortical neurons to stimulation of the caudate nucleus,globus pallidus,and substantia nigra

Stimulation of the head of the caudate nucleus in cats anesthetized with chloralose and pentobarbital evoked spike responses of the Purkinje cells and other cerebellar cortical neurons in the paramedian lobes, lobulus simplex, and the tuber of the vermis. Phasic responses in the form of simple discharges (on account of activation of the neurons through mossy fibers) appeared mainly after a latent period of 5–12 and 14–20 msec; the latent period of responses consisting of complex discharges (on account of activation of Purkinje cells through climbing fibers) was 5–6, 9–22 msec, or more. Depending on the latent period, the spike responses differed in their rhythm of generation. In response to stimulation of the caudate nucleus with a frequency of 4–6/sec recruiting responses were found. An inhibitory pause was an invariable component of the tonic responses. During stimulation of the globus pallidus responses of the same types (phasic and tonic) appeared as during stimulation of the caudate nucleus, but they differed in the distribution of the neurons by latent period of spike responses. The minimal latent period was 4 msec. Recruiting also was observed during repetitive stimulation of the globus pallidus. During stimulation of the substantia nigra Pukinje cells activated by climbing fibers responded. Evoked complex discharges appeared after a stable latent period of 8.5±0.3 msec. Arguments are put forward regarding the role of the substantia nigra, the globus pallidus, nuclei of the inferior olive, and also the thalamic nuclei in the mechanism of caudato-cerebellar oligosynaptic and polysynaptic connections.N. I. Pirogov Medical Institute, Vinnitsa. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 375–384, July–August, 1978.     

D-2 dopamine antagonist-like effects of SCH 23390 on A9 and A10 dopamine neurons

The effects of SCH 23390 on d-amphetamine-induced suppression of A9 and A10 DA neuronal firing were determined. SCH 23390 potently reversed d-amphetamine on both A9 and A10 DA neurons. Compared to haloperidol, SCH 23390 was 5 times more potent on A9 DA neurons and 20 times more potent on A10 DA neurons. However, the magnitude of the reversal effect was greater with haloperidol than SCH 23390. In addition, haloperidol produced a further increase in firing of both A9 and A10 DA neurons after SCH 23390 maximally increased firing. It was concluded that SCH 23390 has D-2 DA antagonist-like properties, possibly mediated via an interaction at D-1 DA receptors, which may be functionally linked with D-2 DA receptors. The marked potency of SCH 23390 in reversing d-amphetamine could be due to its combined antagonist effects at 5HT2 and D-1 DA receptor sites.     

Nociceptin differentially affects morphine-induced dopamine release from the nucleus accumbens and nucleus caudate in rats

The effects induced by nociceptin on morphine-induced release of dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenilacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the nucleus accumbens and nucleus caudate were studied in rats by microdialysis with electrochemical detection. Nociceptin administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) at doses of 2, 5 and 10 nmol/rat changed neither DA nor metabolites release in the shell of the nucleus accumbens or in the nucleus caudate. Morphine administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) (2, 5, and 10 mg/kg) increased DA and metabolites release more in the shell of the nucleus accumbens than in the nucleus caudate. When nociceptin (5 or 10 nmol) was administered 15 min before morphine (5 or 10 mg/kg), it significantly reduced morphine-induced DA and metabolites release in the shell of the nucleus accumbens, whereas only a slight, nonsignificant reduction was observed in the nucleus caudate. Our data indicate that nociceptin may regulate the stimulating action associated with morphine-induced DA release more in the nucleus accumbens than in the nucleus caudate, and are consistent with recent observations that nociceptin reversed ethanol- and morphine-induced conditioned place preference. Therefore, the nociceptin-induced reduction of DA release stimulated by morphine in the nucleus accumbens, and the results obtained with nociceptin in the conditioned place preference procedure suggest a role for nociceptin in the modulation of the behavioral and neurochemical effects of abuse drugs.     

In vivo release of endogenous dopamine from rat caudate nucleus by beta-phenylethylamine and alpha,alpha,-dideutero-beta-phenylethylamine

The release of endogenous dopamine (DA) has been measured in the rat striatum following the intracardial administration of various doses of beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) or alpha,alpha-dideutero-beta-phenylethylamine (deuterated PEA). The release was significantly increased for a period of approximately 15 minutes by a dose of 25 mg/kg PEA. Both the dose required to stimulate DA release and the duration of the effect were in good agreement with previously reported behavioral and locomotor effects of administered PEA. When the animals were given 25 mg/kg of deuterated PEA, the increase in DA release was both longer lasting and significantly greater in magnitude than that observed in response to the non-deuterated amine. The results of these experiments provide direct evidence that DA release is stimulated by amounts of PEA known to cause behavioral effects and locomotor activity in rats, and suggest that these effects are likely to be mediated, at least in part, by DA.