Opposing roles for D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptors in regulating the excitability of growth hormone-producing cells in the snail Lymnaea stagnalis

Dopamine hyperpolarizes growth hormone-producing cells (GHC) in the CNS of Lymnaea stagnalis. This effect of dopamine was mimicked by the D-2 receptor agonist LY 141865 and antagonized by the D-2 receptor antagonists (-)-sulpiride and YM 09151-2. SKF 38393, a selective D-1 receptor agonist, increased the excitability of the GHC. This effect was mimicked by intracellular injection of cyclic AMP and antagonized by the D-1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390. Dopamine (in the presence of (-)-sulpiride) also increased the excitability of the GHC. It is concluded that both a D-1 and a D-2 receptor regulate the electrical activity of the GHC in the CNS of Lymnaea stagnalis.