Изменение экспрессии генов дофаминовых рецепторов в крови крыс под воздействием хронического стресса

Abstract

Stress response is a multifactorial condition which is formed under extreme environmental exposure due to various neuroendocrine systems interactions. Dopaminergic system plays a key role in stress response through the dopamine which effect is realized after binding with special dopamine receptors types D1-D5. Expression of these receptors varies in different tissues, organs and specific brain structures but there is a special interest in their genes expression level in peripheral blood that can be served as additional marker to evaluate the chronic stress degree. Herein we determine the influence of various types induced chronic stress exposure during 6 months (such as exhausting physical activity (forced swimming), immobilization stress, and their combinations (swimming with immobilization)) on Drd1, Drd2 and Drd3 genes expression level in Wistar rats’ peripheral blood. According to our results, no activity for Drd2 and Drd3 genes is shown; however significant overexpression of Drd1 gene was detected in all studied groups after 3 months exposure compared to the data before experiment beginning, whereas after 6 months the relative expression level significantly decreased in the group with immobilization stress, which proves the negative effect of this type of chronic stress on the production of dopamine receptors of the D1 type. Thus, Drd1 gene activity in the blood can serve as a marker for assessing the severity of chronic stress in rats.