Pharmacological and biochemical characterization of the D-1 dopamine receptor mediating acetylcholine release in rabbit retina

Superfusion with dopamine (0.1 microM-10 mM) evokes calcium-dependent [3H]acetylcholine release from rabbit retina labeled in vitro with [3H]choline. This effect is antagonized by the D-1 dopamine receptor antagonist SCH 23390. Activation or blockade of D-2 dopamine, alpha-2 or beta receptors did not stimulate or attenuate the release of [3H]acetylcholine from rabbit retina. Dopamine receptor agonists evoke the release of [3H]acetylcholine with the following order of potency: apomorphine greater than or equal to SKF(R)82526 greater than SKF 85174 greater than SKF(R)38393 greater than or equal to pergolide greater than or equal to dopamine (EC50 = 4.5 microM) greater than SKF(S)82526 greater than or equal to SKF(S)38393. Dopamine receptor antagonists inhibited the dopamine-evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine: SCH 23390 (IC50 = 1 nM) greater than (+)-butaclamol greater than or equal to cis-flupenthixol greater than fluphenazine greater than perphenazine greater than trans-flupenthixol greater than R-sulpiride. The potencies of dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists at the dopamine receptor mediating [3H]acetylcholine release is characteristic of the D-1 dopamine receptor. These potencies were correlated with the potencies of dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists at the D-1 dopamine receptor in rabbit retina as labeled by [3H]SCH 23390, or as determined by adenylate cyclase activity. [3H]SCH 23390 binding in rabbit retinal membranes was stable, saturable and reversible. Scatchard analysis of [3H]SCH 23390 saturation data revealed a single high affinity binding site (Kd = 0.175 +/- 0.002 nM) with a maximum binding of 482 +/- 12 fmol/mg of protein. The potencies of dopamine receptor agonists to stimulate [3H]acetylcholine release were correlated with their potencies to stimulate adenylate cyclase (r = 0.784, P less than .05, n = 7) and with their affinities at [3H]SCH 23390 binding sites (r = 0.755, P greater than .05, n = 8). The potencies of antagonists to inhibit dopamine-evoked [3H]acetylcholine release were correlated with their potencies to inhibit the dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase (r = 0.759, P less than .05, n = 5) and with their affinities at [3H]SCH 23390 binding sites (r = 0.998, P less than .01, n = 7). We conclude that in rabbit retina dopamine evokes calcium-dependent [3H]acetylcholine release through activation of a site with the pharmacological characteristics of a D-1 dopamine receptor.     

D-1 receptor-linked mechanism modulates cholinergic neurotransmission in rat striatum

SCH 23390, a D-1 dopaminergic antagonist, was examined for its effects on the cholinergic system in rat brain. The compound raised the content of acetylcholine selectively in striatum and not in other brain areas including the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, hemispheric residuum and midbrain-hindbrain, mirroring the action of dopaminomimetic drugs. That the increase in acetylcholine content reflected a depression of striatal cholinergic neuronal activity was substantiated by the drug's ability to inhibit sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake, to reduce the electrically evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine from striatal slices in vitro and to reduce acetylcholine release from striatum in freely moving rats in vivo. The increase in striatal acetylcholine was prevented by the D-1 dopaminergic agonist, SK 38393-A, but not by the D-2 agonist, LY 171555. Inhibition of dopamine synthesis by DL alpha-methyltyrosine methyl ester HCI or the selective degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic terminals by the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine HBr prevented the acetylcholine increasing effect of SCH 23390 completely, suggesting that presynaptic dopamine is important in the action of the dopaminergic antagonist. In agreement with these findings, SCH 23390 amplified the action of amphetamine, a dopamine releaser, on striatal cholinergic neurons. Furthermore, blockade of D-2 receptors by pimozide or sulpiride did not suppress the cholinergic effect of SCH 23390. When combined with a subthreshold dose of LY 171555, SCH 23390 did not potentiate the action of the D-2 dopaminergic agonist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mu- and delta-opioid receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by released endogenous dopamine in rat neostriatal slices; demonstration of potent delta-agonist activity of bremazocine

Rat neostriatal slices were superfused with medium containing 0.1 to 30 microM of the dopamine (DA)-releasing agent D-(+)-am-phetamine (AMPH) and the D-2 DA receptor antagonist (-)-sulpiride (10 microM) in the absence or presence of mu-, delta-, and kappa-selective opioids. AMPH dose-dependently enhanced the cyclic AMP production, as measured by its efflux from striatal slices, whereas simultaneous blockade of D-2 DA receptors by (-)-sulpiride strongly potentiated this effect. Both the mu-opioid receptor selective agonist [D-Ala2,MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin (0.01-3 microM) and the delta-opioid receptor selective agonist [D-Phe2-D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE, 0.01-3 microM) inhibited the cyclic AMP efflux, stimulated by 10 microM AMPH in the presence of (-)-sulpiride, by 70 to 80%. The highly selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist U 50,488 (trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrol-idinyl)- cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide methanesulfonate hydrate) (0.01-1 microM) had no effect. In contrast, the purported kappa-opioid receptor agonist bremazocine (3-300 nM) inhibited the stimulated adenylate cyclase activity to a similar extent as did [D-Ala2-MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin and DPDPE. Moreover, the selective irreversible delta-antagonist fentanyl isothiocyanate reversed both the inhibition caused by DPDPE and that caused by bremazocine, whereas the kappa-selective antagonist norbinaltorphimine showed no differences in its potency to antagonize the inhibitory effects of the different opioid agonists. The results indicate that opioids, by activating mu- or delta-, but not kappa-opioid receptors may cause a profound inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by activation of (postsynaptic) D-1 DA receptors upon the (presynaptic) release of DA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Aspartate-releasing nerve terminals in rat striatum possess D-2 dopamine receptors mediating inhibition of release

The release of endogenous aspartic acid has been investigated using synaptosomes from rat corpus striatum. Exposure in superfusion to a depolarizing concentration of KCl (15 mM) evoked an overflow of aspartate which was almost entirely calcium-dependent. When added to the superfusion medium, dopamine (DA) and the selective DA D-2 receptor agonists quinpirole (LY-171555) and pergolide inhibited the K+ -evoked aspartate release in a concentration-dependent manner. The natural agonist DA was very potent (IC50 = 1 nM). The selective D-1 receptor agonist SK&F 38393 had no effect on the release of aspartate. The selective D-2 receptor antagonist S-sulpiride, but not the R-enantiomer, antagonized the DA-induced inhibition of aspartate release. The DA effect was unaltered by SCH 23390, a selective dopamine D-1 receptor antagonist. The findings that 1) the release of endogenous aspartate evoked by depolarization was calcium-dependent and 2) the release of aspartate was potently modulated through D-2 receptors are compatible with the idea that aspartate is released as a transmitter from striatal axon terminals. The possibility that aspartate and glutamate are coreleased from these terminals is discussed.     

K+ channel and adenylate cyclase involvement in regulation of Ca2+-evoked release of [3H]dopamine from synaptosomes

In superfused striatal synaptosomes, previously unexposed to Ca2+ during isolation and superfusion, 1.25 mM Ca2+ evokes the release of [3H]dopamine. This Ca2+-evoked release is produced without elevating K+ (4.5 mM) before or after Ca2+ exposure, can be blocked by the Na+ channel antagonist tetrodotoxin, and modulated by dopamine (D2) receptor agonists and antagonists. We now present evidence that functional K+ channels regulate Ca2+-evoked [3H]dopamine release and may be necessary for the dopamine (D2) modulation of this release. The K+ channel blocker tetraethyl ammonium (TEA) could partially prevent D2 agonist (LY-171555) inhibition of Ca2+-evoked release in both olfactory tubercle and striatal synaptosomes. Another K+ channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine, also partially blocked dopamine (D2) agonist inhibition of release. When both 5 mM tetraethyl ammonium and 0.1 mM 4-aminopyridine were employed, by, dopamine (D2) inhibition of Ca2+-evoked [3H]dopamine release was prevented. However, with both K+ channel blockers present, only the initial portion of the release could be blocked by tetrodotoxin. These results are consistent with what might be expected if K+ channels were linked to dopamine (D2) receptors. In additional experiments we found that stimulation of adenylate cyclase by 1 microM forskolin with 0.25 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine present potentiated Ca2+-evoked [3H]dopamine release but that this combination did not affect dopamine (D2) inhibition of [3H]dopamine release. Furthermore, although the protein alkylator n-ethylmaleimide could block dopamine (D2) inhibition of release, pertussis toxin, a specific inactivator of the inhibitory protein regulating adenylate cyclase, had little effect on dopamine (D2) inhibition. Therefore, dopamine (D2) inhibition of dopamine release may not be coupled to adenylate cyclase activity.     

Do D-1 dopamine receptors mediate dopamine-induced pancreatic exocrine secretion in anesthetized dogs?

Characterization of dopamine (DA) receptor subtypes was examined on the canine exocrine pancreas using selective DA receptor agonists and antagonists in the isolated and blood-perfused pancreas of anesthetized dogs. Each drug was injected i.a. in a single bolus fashion. Graded doses of DA (0.01-3 mumol) produced dose-dependent increases in the secretory rate of pancreatic juice, with a maximum effect at approximately 1 mumol. SCH23390 (3-30 nmol), a selective D-1 DA receptor antagonist, caused a progressive parallel shift to the right in the dose-response curve for DA-induced pancreatic secretion without changes in the maximal response. High doses of RS-sulpiride (0.3-3 mumol) or haloperidol (1-3 mumol), a mixed D-1/D-2 DA receptor antagonist, also caused a rightward shift in the DA dose-response curve. However, domperidone (3 mumol), a selective D-2 DA receptor antagonist, did not antagonize the DA-induced pancreatic exocrine secretion. A modified Schild analysis of the data indicates that SCH23390 is approximately 2 and 3 orders of magnitude more potent than RS-sulpiride and haloperidol, respectively. In addition, the stimulatory effects of DA (0.01-3 mumol), SKF38393 (0.1-10 mumol, a selective D-1 DA receptor agonist) and LY171555 (1-10 mumol, a selective D-2 DA receptor agonist) on pancreatic secretion were demonstrated. The rank order of agonist potency was DA greater than SKF38393 greater than LY171555. The secretory response to LY171555 was inhibited completely by pretreatment with SCH23390 (30 nmol).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Chronic treatment with SCH 23390 and haloperidol: effects on dopaminergic and serotonergic mechanisms in rat brain

Effects of chronic administration (18 days) with SCH 23390 (0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg/day s.c.) and haloperidol (1 mg/kg/day s.c.) on dopamine and serotonin synthesis and metabolism in discrete dopaminergic and serotonergic nuclei of rat brain were studied. Additionally, the effects of these treatments on dopamine D-1 and D-2 receptor characteristics in rat caudate-putamen were investigated. Chronic administration with both dose regimens of SCH 23390 decreased DA metabolism significantly (basal homovanillic acid concentrations) in nucleus caudatus. In another set of experiments dopamine synthesis (rate of accumulation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine after 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-decarboxylase inhibition) was reduced significantly only in nucleus accumbens after the higher SCH 23390 dose regimen. In turn, chronic administration with haloperidol decreased basal dopamine metabolism and synthesis in nucleus caudatus and nucleus accumbens. Chronic haloperidol, but not SCH 23390, treatment induced a clear-cut increase in [3H]spiperone binding in caudate-putamen. Interestingly, neither SCH 23390 nor haloperidol treatments affected [3H]SCH 23390 binding in caudate-putamen. SCH 23390 and haloperidol had no significant effects on serotonin synthesis and metabolism in serotonergic and dopaminergic areas. In conclusion, the classical antipsychotic drug, haloperidol, clearly decreases dopamine turnover in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopaminergic systems. The D-1 antagonist, SCH 23390, also decreases dopaminergic activity in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic systems although DA synthesis and metabolism are affected to different degrees in nucleus caudatus and nucleus accumbens. Therefore, we suggest that if D-1 antagonists such as SCH 23390 show antipsychotic activity in clinical studies, they may not be free of extrapyramidal side-effects.     

Pharmacological differences between the D-2 autoreceptor and the D-1 dopamine receptor in rabbit retina

The effect of dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists was studied on the calcium-dependent release of [3H]dopamine elicited by field stimulation at 3 Hz for a duration of 1 min (20 mA, 2 msec) from the rabbit retina in vitro and on adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of rabbit retina. The relative order of potency of dopamine receptor agonists to inhibit the stimulation-evoked [3H]dopamine release was pergolide greater than bromocriptine greater than apomorphine greater than LY 141865 greater than N,N-di-n-propyldopamine greater than or equal to dopamine. The relative order of potencies of dopamine receptor antagonists to increase [3H]dopamine release was: S-sulpiride greater than or equal to domperidone greater than or equal to spiroperidol greater than metoclopramide greater than fluphenazine greater than or equal to R-sulpiride. alpha-Flupenthixol (0.01-1 microM) and (+)-butaclamol (0.01-1 microM) did not increase [3H]dopamine overflow when added alone, but they antagonized the concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of apomorphine (0.1-10 microM). These results suggest that the dopamine inhibitory autoreceptor involved in the modulation of dopamine release from the rabbit retina possesses the pharmacological characteristics of a D-2 dopamine receptor. Maximal stimulation by 30 microM dopamine resulted in a 3-fold increase in adenylate cyclase activity with half-maximal stimulation occurring at a concentration of 2.46 microM. Apomorphine and pergolide elicited a partial stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity. However, at low concentrations both compounds were more potent than dopamine. N,N-di-n-Propyl-dopamine was 30 times less potent than dopamine, and bromocriptine was unable to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

5-HT2 receptor blockade by ICI 169,369 and other 5-HT2 antagonists modulates the effects of D-2 dopamine receptor blockade

The effects of D-2 dopamine (DA) receptor blockade were modulated by ICI 169,369, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)2 receptor antagonist, and by other 5-HT2 antagonists. Specifically, it appears that blockade of 5-HT2 receptors can attenuate the effects of D-2 receptor blockade on rat striatal dopaminergic transmission. Thus, the blockade of D-2 receptors by haloperidol results in a compensatory increase in rat striatal DA metabolism, which is enhanced by ICI 169,369. By itself, ICI 169,369 did not significantly alter DA metabolism. Conversely, several compounds which possess appreciable activity at 5-HT2 sites in ex vivo binding assays, but possess little activity at D-2 sites (i.e., pirenperone, setoperone, fluperlapine and clozapine), all produced large increases in striatal DA metabolism. Therefore, these data suggest that the 5-HT2 component of these compounds, by enhancing DA metabolism, may act to attenuate the blockade of striatal D-2 receptors by these compounds. Consistent with this hypothesis, the chronic blockade of D-2 receptors by haloperidol increases the number of striatal D-2 DA receptors, and these increases are attenuated by the coadministration of ICI 169,369. Likewise, pirenperone and clozapine, at doses which acutely produced elevations in DA metabolism which were similar to those produced by haloperidol, failed to increase the number of D-2 receptors in striatum. Interestingly, 5-HT2 receptor blockade did not appear to potently modulate the effects of D-2 receptor blockade in the olfactory tubercle, a brain region which is innervated by mesolimbic DA-containing neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pharmacological characterization of rat retinal dopamine receptors

The dopamine (DA) D-1 and D-2 receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase in the rat retina were characterized pharmacologically. In confirmation of reports using other neural tissues, activation of D-1 receptors with DA, apomorphine or SKF 38393 resulted in activation of adenylate cyclase and enhanced accumulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP). The response to DA was blocked by SCH 23390, a D-1 receptor antagonist. D-2 receptors negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase were demonstrated by preincubating retina with SCH 23390 and then with DA or apomorphine. D-2 receptor responses were also elicited with quinpirole or bromocriptine, D-2 receptor agonists, in the absence of SCH 23390. (+)-Butaclamol, but not (-)-butaclamol, blocked the D-2 receptor-induced decrease of cAMP. Moreover, I-sulpiride was more active than d-sulpiride in reversing the DA-induced inhibition of cAMP accumulation. D-1 and D-2 receptor responses were also evident in forskolin-activated retina. The intraocular injection of pertussis toxin prevented the fall of cAMP and enhanced the rise of cAMP by DA, indirectly implicating the need for a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in the process. Our results demonstrate that retinal tissue contains DA receptors that are similar to those found in brain and they imply that therapeutic agents that interact with the receptors in brain might interact with the receptors in retina.     

Role of opiates in striatal D-1 dopamine receptor supersensitivity induced by chronic L-dopa treatment

Repeated administration of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) to rats lesioned with monolateral intranigral injections of 6-hydroxydopamine counteracted the increased density of striatal [3H]spiroperidol binding sites induced by the lesion. On the contrary, the treatment with L-DOPA further enhanced the hypersensitivity of adenylate cyclase to dopamine stimulation that follows striatal denervation. In addition, the apomorphine-induced rotations were strongly potentiated. The latter effect was antagonized by morphine given acutely shortly before the dopamine agonist. On the other hand, the efficacy of [D-Ala2]-methionine enkephalinamide to inhibit striatal adenylate cyclase was decreased in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats chronically treated with L-dopa. Moreover, in these animals, when naltrexone was given chronically together with L-dopa, the supersensitivity of the enzyme to dopamine stimulation did not develop. Finally, in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, chronic morphine, similarly to L-dopa, further enhanced the responses of adenylate cyclase to dopamine stimulation. These data suggest that prolonged indirect activation of striatal opiate receptors and their consequent desensitization could be among the causes of the hyperactivity of D-1 dopamine receptors that follows chronic L-dopa treatment.     

Inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism: effects on rat striatal dopamine release and uptake.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility that arachidonic acid metabolites mediate D-2 dopamine (DA) receptor inhibition of striatal DA release. The phospholipase A2 inhibitor p-bromophenacyl bromide (BPB; 10 microM) increased electrically evoked overflow of endogenous DA from rat striatal slices and appeared to partially block the modulatory effects of the D-2 DA receptor agonist N-0437 on this release. However, BPB also increased spontaneous DA outflow in a dose-dependent manner. U-73122 (10 microM), another phospholipase A2 inhibitor, decreased evoked overflow of DA, did not affect the action of N-0437 but also increased spontaneous outflow of DA. In contrast, arachidonic acid (30 microM) produced no effects. In slices prelabeled with [3H]DA, exposure to BPB, U-73122 and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (a lipoxygenase inhibitor) significantly increased spontaneous outflow of tritium whereas the cyclooxygenase inhibitors aspirin and indomethacin did not. In low micromolar concentrations, BPB, U-73122 and nordihydroguaiaretic acid, but not aspirin and indomethacin, inhibited uptake of [3H]DA into striatal synaptosomes and binding of [3H]mazindol to the DA transporter. Only U-73122 affected D-2 DA receptor binding. Taken together, these results suggest that it is unlikely that arachidonic acid metabolites mediate the actions of release-modulating D-2 DA autoreceptors in the striatum. However, the results also suggest that certain inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism are relatively potent DA uptake blockers/releasers and that this action is unrelated to their inhibition of enzymes in the arachidonic acid cascade. Caution should be used when using BPB and nordihydroguaiaretic acid to study mechanisms involved in DA release, because these compounds may increase DA release and thereby appear to antagonize the effects of activation of presynaptic receptors.     

Dopaminergic regulation of striatal acetylcholine release: importance of D1 and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.

The dopaminergic regulation of striatal cholinergic activity was studied using in vivo microdialysis to measure interstitial concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh) and choline in the striata of freely moving rats. The quaternary acetylcholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine (100 nM) was included in the perfusion solution to increase the recovery of ACh. d-Amphetamine (2 mg/kg, s.c.) and nomifensine (5 mg/kg, s.c.) increased the concentration of ACh in the striatal dialysate by 40 to 60%. Interstitial choline concentrations were reduced by both drugs. Administration of the selective D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (0.3 mg/kg, s.c.) decreased the concentration of ACh in the striatal dialysate by 15 to 20%; in contrast, the selective D2 antagonist raclopride (1 mg/kg, s.c.) increased striatal ACh release by 50 to 60%. Raclopride also briefly increased the extracellular concentration of choline. Raclopride blocked the increase in locomotor activity produced by d-amphetamine, but did not further enhance ACh release. In contrast, SCH 23390 completely antagonized the increases in locomotion and striatal ACh release produced by d-amphetamine. These results indicate that d-amphetamine increases ACh release in the striatum via a D1 receptor mechanism. Consistent with this hypothesis, the selective D1 receptor agonist CY 208-243 (1 mg/kg, s.c.) increased striatal ACh release by approximately 60%. In contrast, local application of CY 208-243 (10 microM) and SCH 23390 (10 microM) failed to alter ACh concentrations in the striatal dialysate. Inclusion of the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 (10 microM) in the striatal perfusion solution significantly attenuated the increase in striatal ACh release produced by systemic CY 208-243.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

D-2 dopamine receptors inhibit release of aspartate and glutamate in rat retina.

Release of endogenous Asp, Glu and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been investigated using synaptosomes prepared from rat retina. Exposure in superfusion to a depolarizing concentration of KCl (30 mM) evoked overflow of Asp and Glu, which were almost entirely Ca-dependent. However, 70% of the GABA release was Ca-independent. Dopamine (DA) almost completely inhibited the K(+)-evoked release of Asp and Glu in a concentration-dependent manner, but the release of GABA was only partly inhibited. The potencies of DA (IC50) to Asp and Glu release were 12 and 30 nM, respectively. A selective D-2 receptor antagonist, S-sulpiride, counteracted the DA-induced inhibition of Asp and Glu release, but a selective D-1 antagonist, SCH 23390, showed no effect. The data suggest that D-2 dopamine receptors located on the Asp and Glu neurons in rat retina may inhibit the release of these excitatory amino acids.     

A further evaluation of the effects of K+ depolarization on glutamate-evoked [3H]dopamine release from striatal slices.

Exogenous glutamate will evoke dopamine (DA) release from striatal slices in vitro. To further characterize glutamate-evoked DA release from striatal slices, experiments were designed to: 1) determine if sufficient endogenous glutamate can be released in vitro to presynaptically mediate [3H]DA release in the absence of Mg++ and 2) reevaluate how K+ depolarization affects glutamate-evoked [3H]DA release. Removal of Mg++ to potentiate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated DA release increased 15 mM K(+)-evoked [3H]DA release to about 200% of control. The potentiation of this release was probably not mediated by NMDA receptors because it was not blocked by the glutamate receptor antagonists MK-801, 6,7-dinitroquinoxalinedione (DNQX) or kynurenate. Furthermore, the removal of Mg++ increased DA release substantially (200%) in the presence of 5 microM sulpiride and 10 microM nomifensine, indicating that DA reuptake and DA D2 autoreceptors are not primarily responsible for increased DA release. In the absence of Mg++, depolarization produced by 20 mM or greater [K+] inhibited DA released by exogenous glutamate, whereas a much higher [K+] was necessary to evoke endogenous glutamate release. In the presence of 1.5 mM Mg++, a reduction of the "Mg++ blockade" of NMDA receptors by 15 mM K+ depolarization during glutamate-evoked DA release was evaluated with and without the DA reuptake inhibitor nomifensine and the DA D2 antagonist sulpiride. DA released by K+ depolarization (Mg++ present) was markedly increased by 1 mM glutamate, but this effect was only partially reversed by kynurenate or high concentrations of either MK-801 (25 microM) or DNQX (100 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Adaptive mechanisms of striatal D1 and D2 dopamine receptors in response to a prolonged reserpine treatment in mice

Mice receiving reserpine (1 mg/kg/day) during 5 days develop behavioral supersensitivity. To study the possible molecular correlates of these adaptive changes we compared binding parameters of D1 and D2 receptors and adenylate cyclase activity in striata from normal and reserpinized mice. Saturation curves using [3H]SCH 23390 showed no changes in maximum binding capacity (Bmax) or Kd of striatal D1 receptors taken from control or 5 days reserpine-treated mice. However, [3H]spiperone saturation curves showed a 31% increase in D2 receptors Bmax with no changes in Kd. Dopamine competition of [3H]SCH 23390 and [3H]spiperone binding in mouse striatum was also performed. Analysis of data by LIGAND showed that dopamine recognizes two subpopulations for D1 and for D2 receptors. The proportion of receptors in the high affinity state (D1high and D2high) were increased in reserpine-treated animals. The addition of 100 microM GTP produced a complete conversion of D1high and D2high receptors into their low-affinity states in striata from control and reserpinized mice. Five days of reserpine treatment increased basal adenylate cyclase activity of mouse striatum in the presence of Mn++ or Mg++ ions. Concentration curves with dopamine, NaF or forskolin revealed shifts to the left and higher maximum responses without changes in EC50 values in striata from reserpinized mice. Thus, a prolonged reserpine treatment produces marked changes in D1 and D2 receptors increasing the proportion of high affinity state subpopulations and the total Bmax of D2 receptors. Also, dopamine function may be enhanced through an increment of the catalytic component of striatal adenylate cyclase.     

Ionic mechanism of dopaminergic and muscarinic auto- and heteroreceptor activation in superfused striatal slices: role of extracellular chloride

The Cl dependency of agonist-induced ionic mechanisms involved in the receptor-mediated modulation of electrically stimulated release of dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) was examined in superfused rabbit striatal slices prelabeled with [3H] DA (3,4-[8-3H]dihydroxyphenylethylamine) and [14C]choline ([ methyl-14C]choline Cl). Cl- was substituted in the superfusion medium to varying degrees with the impermeant anions isethionate, methanesulfonate or gluconate. The sodium concentration was held constant. Apomorphine (30 nM), a DA receptor agonist, inhibited the stimulation-evoked (1 Hz, 2 min) release of both DA and ACh in Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate medium (KRB; 125.4 mM Cl-). The inhibitory effects of the agonist were not altered significantly in media containing 66.4 mM Cl-. In 7.4 mM Cl- medium (isethionate replacement), apomorphine-induced inhibition of DA release was reduced (40% inhibition vs. 67% inhibition in KRB). Similarly, apomorphine inhibition of ACh release was lowered from 38% in KRB to 25% in 7.4 mM Cl-. The muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol (10 microM) inhibited the stimulation-evoked release of ACh while enhancing the evoked release of DA in normal Cl- (125.4 mM) medium. Inhibition of ACh release was not altered in 66.4 mM Cl- media but was increased in 7.4 mM Cl- (63% inhibition in low Cl- vs. 50% in KRB). The enhancing effects of carbachol on stimulated DA release were potentiated in 66.4 mM Cl- (88% enhancement vs. 57% in KRB), whereas no change in the agonist effect was observed in the lower Cl- medium (7.4 mM Cl-).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sustained high release at rapid stimulation rates and reduced functional autoreceptors characterize prefrontal cortex dopamine terminals

The release of dopamine (DA) from mesocortical and nigrostriatal nerve terminal fields, as well as its modulation by auto- and heteroreceptors was investigated. Rabbit brain slices obtained from medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus caudate (striatum) were prelabeled with [3H]DA in the presence of 0.3 microM desipramine. Neuronal depolarization was elicited by electrical stimulation. Higher stimulation-evoked overflow of [3H]DA (release) was observed from PFC than from striatal slices. At 0.3 Hz (120 pulses) release from the PFC was 60% higher than from the striatum, and at higher frequencies (10 Hz and 120 or 1200 pulses) the fraction of tissue radioactivity released from the PFC was 550% greater than that released from the striatum. These differences were not eliminated by blockade of autoreceptors with haloperidol, or by inhibition of neuronal uptake with nomifensine. These results suggest that the coupling between neuronal depolarization and DA release is more efficient in the PFC than in the striatum. This may allow the PFC terminals to sustain neurotransmission under continuous fast firing. Selective D2 agonists, as well as nonselective DA agonists, inhibited DA release in a concentration-dependent fashion from the PFC and the striatum. Their effects were blocked by l-sulpiride or haloperidol. SKF 38393, a selective D1 agonist, produced a small facilitation of release from both regions; its effects were blocked by SCH 23390 (a selective D1 antagonist). The latter was ineffective on its own. The maximal degree of inhibition of release produced by apomorphine, bromocriptine and LY-171555 was lower in the PFC than in the striatum; these differences were accentuated greatly at high stimulation rates. When the slices were stimulated at frequencies comparable to the "in vivo" firing rates for each neuronal group, apomorphine and LY-171555 were much weaker in inhibiting DA release from the PFC (10 Hz) than from the striatum (3 Hz). In the striatum, strong modulation of DA release by endogenous DA was observed; whereas little modulation was seen in the PFC. Nomifensine produced larger increases in the stimulation-evoked overflow of DA from PFC and there was no synergistic interaction between nomifensine and haloperidol in this structure. In the striatum, marked facilitation of DA overflow was observed when nomifensine and haloperidol were given together. Furthermore, haloperidol per se facilitated DA release from both brain regions; however, the degree of facilitation was frequency dependent in the striatum, but not in the PFC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

D2 dopamine receptors modulate calcium channel currents and catecholamine secretion in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Although dopamine is known to be present in sympathetic ganglia, its role and mode of action as a peripheral neurotransmitter are still poorly understood. Dopaminergic agonists have been shown to inhibit adrenal catecholamine release and calcium uptake. However, the specific dopamine receptor subtype mediating these effects and the receptor transduction mechanism remain unknown. We now provide evidence demonstrating 1) that slowly inactivating, voltage-gated calcium channels serve as a target site for dopaminergic modulation of chromaffin cell function and 2) that it is the D2 receptor subtype which mediates dopaminergic inhibitory effects on catecholamine secretion, 45Ca uptake and voltage-gated calcium currents. Whole cell patch clamp electrophysiological techniques were used to monitor directly voltage-gated Ca++ channels. The D2 agonist apomorphine but not the D1 agonist SKF 38393 reduced reversibly a slowly inactivating, voltage-gated calcium current in cultured chromaffin cells and this effect was blocked by the D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol. The presence of D2 but not D1 dopamine receptors on chromaffin cell membranes was demonstrated by radioligand binding methods, using the specific D1 and D2 receptor radioligands, [3H]SCH23390 and [3H]N-methylspiperone, respectively. Nicotine- and KCl (60 mM)-evoked catecholamine secretion and 45Ca uptake were inhibited by the D2 agonist, apomorphine, but not by the D1 agonist, SKF 38393. These inhibitory effects were prevented by the D2 antagonist, sulpiride, but not by the D1 antagonist, SCH 23390. D2 dopamine receptors appear to function as inhibitory modulators of adrenal catecholamine secretion with a mode of action involving inhibition of calcium channel currents.     

Characterization of receptors involved in dopamine-induced activation of phospholipase-C in rat renal cortex.

Dopamine (DA) is reported to stimulate phospholipase-C (PL-C) in rat renal cortex. Inasmuch as DA activates alpha adrenoceptors and DA receptors, the relative contribution of these receptors to DA-induced activation of PL-C is not yet established. We examined the effect of DA on PL-C activity in rat renal cortical slices prelabeled with myo-2-[3H]inositol in the presence of Li+. PL-C activity was expressed as fractional release (FR) of combined [3H]inositol phosphates expressed as dpm inositol phosphates accumulated/total dpm incorporated X 100. DA (1 mM) produced time-dependent increases in FR up to 60 min. DA (1, 3 and 10 mM) produced 61%, 88% and 110% increases in FR over control. When DA was given in the presence of SCH 23390, a selective DA-1 receptor antagonist, the increase in FR was significantly reduced to 33%, 51% and 62%, respectively, but the increase in FR remained unaffected in the presence of a DA-2 receptor antagonist, domperidone (30 microM). Phentolamine (10 microM) also inhibited the response to DA to 41%, 47% and 43% at the respective concentrations. DA-induced stimulation of PL-C was completely abolished in the combined presence of both SCH 23390 (30 microM) and phentolamine (10 microM). SCH 23390, domperidone or phentolamine alone did not significantly change the basal PL-C activity in renal cortical slices. These results demonstrate that 1) DA stimulates PL-C in rat renal cortex via activation of both DA-1 receptors and alpha adrenoceptors and DA-2 receptors are not involved in this response; and 2) during normal sodium intake, intrarenal DA does not modulate the PL-C activity in rat renal cortex.