Abstract
The importance of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) in the nervous system is underscored by its role in a wide variety of physiological and neural functions in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Binding of dopamine to its membrane receptors initiates precise signaling cascades that result in specific cellular responses. Dopamine receptors belong to a super-family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are characterized by seven trans-membrane domains. In mammals, five dopamine receptors have been identified which are grouped into two different categories D1- and D2-like receptors. The interactions of DA receptors with other proteins including specific Gα subunits are critical in deciding the fate of downstream molecular events carried out by effector proteins. In this mini-review we provide a synopsis of known protein-protein interactions of DA receptors and a perspective on the potential synergistic utility of Caenorhabditis elegans as a model eukaryote with a comparatively simpler nervous system to gain insight on the neuronal and behavioral consequences of the receptor interactions.
Highlights
Dopamine (DA) is a catecholamine neurotransmitter that plays a central role in nervous system development and its apt function later in life
A comprehensive list of known specific proteins that interact with mammalian dopamine receptors is provided along with their cellular function, and their C. elegans counterparts’ are included with the mutant phenotype of the latter (Table 1)
The vast and sometimes contradictory results from cell culture systems, combined with the complexity of the pathways involved has inspired many researchers to study the precise role of dopamine receptors with a holistic perspective
Summary
Dopamine (DA) is a catecholamine neurotransmitter that plays a central role in nervous system development and its apt function later in life. A comprehensive list of known specific proteins that interact with mammalian dopamine receptors is provided along with their cellular function, and their C. elegans counterparts’ are included with the mutant phenotype of the latter (Table 1). Dopamine receptor function in C. elegans In C. elegans dopamine regulates neuronal functions and participates in a wide array of nematode behaviors such as locomotion, food sensation, egg laying, defecation, learning and memory (Table 1) [73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80] Studies with this organism have utilized either reduction in dopamine synthesis by laser ablation of dopaminergic neurons, genetic mutants, and pharmacological antagonists or enhancement of dopamine levels by providing exogenous dopamine or agonists. Studies with C. elegans have helped bridge the gap between dopamine function at a molecular and cellular level on one hand, and the neuronal output affecting behavior on the other
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