Dopamine Receptor Isoforms Research Articles

Critical Impact of Different Conserved Endoplasmic Retention Motifs and Dopamine Receptor Interacting Proteins (DRIPs) on Intracellular Localization and Trafficking of the D2 Dopamine Receptor (D2-R) Isoforms.

The type 2 dopamine receptor D2 (D2-R), member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, exists in two isoforms, short (D2S-R) and long (D2L-R). They differ by an additional 29 amino acids (AA) in the third cytoplasmic loop (ICL3) of the D2L-R. These isoforms differ in their intracellular localization and trafficking functionality, as D2L-R possesses a larger intracellular pool, mostly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This review focuses on the evolutionarily conserved motifs in the ICL3 of the D2-R and proteins interacting with the ICL3 of both isoforms, specifically with the 29 AA insert. These motifs might be involved in D2-R exit from the ER and have an impact on cell-surface and intracellular localization and, therefore, also play a role in the function of dopamine receptor signaling, ligand binding and possible homo/heterodimerization. Our recent bioinformatic data on potential new interaction partners for the ICL3 of D2-Rs are also presented. Both are highly relevant, and have clinical impacts on the pathophysiology of several diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, Tourette’s syndrome, Huntington’s disease, manic depression, and others, as they are connected to a variety of essential motifs and differences in communication with interaction partners.

Pharmacogenetic aspects of the dopaminergic system in clozapine pharmacodynamics

A systematic review of association studies on the role of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of the dopaminergic system genes on the effectiveness of clozapine in schizophrenia has been perfromed. A search of literature was conducted in PubMed, MedLine, Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate Analytics), Web of Science, Russian Science Citation Index, Scopus, Scientific Research, Google Scholar, Oxford Press, e-Library from 1995-2019. Association studies of 53 SNPs of genes encoding dopamine receptor isoforms (DRD1), dopamine transporter (SCL6A3) and catechol-O- methyltransferase (COMT), and the nature of their association with the therapeutic response to clozapine were analyzed. The results of SNPs studies of DRD1 and COMT genes are the most controversial. This can be explained by the heterogeneity of the samples and the lack of standardization of methods for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment in the context of association studies. The clear population specificity of the association of some SNPs of DRD1, DRD2 and DRD3 genes with the response to clozapine therapy has been shown. Most of the identified associations are haplotype specific. The obtained regularities of the effect of SNPs of dopaminergic system genes on the effectiveness of clozapine therapy should be considered in an individual approach to treatment of schizophrenia.

Pharmacogenetic aspects of the dopaminergic system in clozapine pharmacodynamics

A systematic review of association studies on the role of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of the dopaminergic system genes on the effectiveness of clozapine in schizophrenia has been perfromed. A search of literature was conducted in PubMed, MedLine, Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate Analytics), Web of Science, Russian Science Citation Index, Scopus, Scientific Research, Google Scholar, Oxford Press, e-Library from 1995-2019. Association studies of 53 SNPs of genes encoding dopamine receptor isoforms (DRD1), dopamine transporter (SCL6A3) and catechol-O- methyltransferase (COMT), and the nature of their association with the therapeutic response to clozapine were analyzed. The results of SNPs studies of DRD1 and COMT genes are the most controversial. This can be explained by the heterogeneity of the samples and the lack of standardization of methods for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment in the context of association studies. The clear population specificity of the association of some SNPs of DRD1, DRD2 and DRD3 genes with the response to clozapine therapy has been shown. Most of the identified associations are haplotype specific. The obtained regularities of the effect of SNPs of dopaminergic system genes on the effectiveness of clozapine therapy should be considered in an individual approach to treatment of schizophrenia.

Developmental prefrontal mRNA expression of D2 dopamine receptor splice variants and working memory impairments in rats after early life Interleukin-1β elevation

Long (D2L) and Short (D2S) isoforms of D2 dopamine receptor differ in their biochemical and physiological properties, which could affect functioning of prefrontal cortex. Contribution of distinct D2 dopamine receptor isoforms to cognitive dysfunctions and its developmental regulation are currently not fully elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated developmental mRNA expression of D2S/D2L dopamine receptor isoforms within the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the model of neurodevelopmental cognitive dysfunction. Working memory performance (Y-maze spontaneous alternations) and D2S/D2L mRNA expression in the mPFC (by qRT-PCR) were evaluated in juvenile (P27), adolescent (P42-47) and adult (P75-90) rats after chronic early life treatment with proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β (1 µg/kg i.p. daily P15-21). It was shown that IL-1β elevation during the 3rd week of life leads to working memory deficit originating in juvenile animals and persisting into adulthood. D2S mRNA expression was strongly downregulated during adolescence, and such downregulation was exaggerated in animals injected with IL-1β during P15-21. Early life IL-1β administrations influenced developmental changes in the D2S/D2L mRNA ratio. This measure was found to be decreased in adolescent and adult control (intact and vehicle-treated) rats compared to juvenile control, while in the case of IL-1β-treated animals, the decrease in D2S/D2L ratio was observed only in adulthood but not in adolescence compared to juvenile rats. During the adolescence, D2S mRNA expression was downregulated and D2S/D2L ratio was upregulated in the mPFC of rats treated with IL-1β during the 3rd week of life compared to controls. Based on these data we conclude that changes in the developmental expression of D2 dopamine receptor splice variants within mPFC may underlie long-lasting cognitive deficit associated with neonatal pathology.

Characterization of the discriminative stimulus effects of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Recreational use of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in the early 2000s prompted numerous scientific investigations of its behavioral and neurochemical effects. The purpose of this study was to further characterize the interoceptive stimulus effects of MDPV using a validated in-vivo drug-detection assay. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to discriminate 0.3 mg/kg MDPV from saline under a fixed ratio 20 (FR 20) schedule of food reinforcement. After stimulus control was established with MDPV (∼35 training sessions), substitution tests were commenced with drugs from several chemical classes, including drugs with predominantly dopaminergic actions [MDPV, D-amphetamine, (+)-methamphetamine, (-)-cocaine], drugs with predominantly serotonergic actions [(+)-lysergic acid diethylamide, (+)-fenfluramine], and drugs with both serotonergic and dopaminergic actions (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 4-methylmethcathinone). Full substitution for the 0.3 mg/kg MDPV cue was observed with D-amphetamine, (+)-methamphetamine, and (-)-cocaine. Surprisingly, the 5-HT releaser (+)-fenfluramine fully substituted in half the subjects, but completely suppressed responding in the remaining subjects. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 4-methylmethcathinone, and (+)-lysergic acid diethylamide failed to fully substitute for MDPV. These results indicate that the MDPV cue is similar to cues produced by drugs with predominantly dopamine-increasing effects and perhaps serotonin-releasing effects among individual subjects. Given these findings, further research is warranted to directly assess the contributions of dopamine and serotonin receptor isoforms to the discriminative stimulus functions of MDPV.

1,4-Disubstituted aromatic piperazines with high 5-HT2A/D2 selectivity: Quantitative structure-selectivity investigations, docking, synthesis and biological evaluation

Simultaneous targeting of dopamine D2 and 5-HT2A receptors for the treatment of schizophrenia is one key feature of typical and atypical antipsychotics. In most of the top-selling antipsychotic drugs like aripiprazole and risperidone, high affinity to both receptors can be attributed to the presence of 1,4-disubstituted aromatic piperazines or piperidines as primary receptor recognition elements. Taking advantage of our in-house library of phenylpiperazine-derived dopamine receptor ligands and experimental data, we established highly significant CoMFA and CoMSIA models for the prediction of 5-HT2A over D2 selectivity. Subsequently, the models were applied to identify the selective candidates 55–57 from our newly synthesized library of GPCR ligands comprising a pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine head group and a 1,2,3-triazole based linker unit. The test compound 57 showed subnanomolar a Ki value (0.64nM) for 5-HT2A and more than 10- and 30-fold selectivity over the dopamine receptor isoforms D2S and D2L, respectively.

Molecular cloning of bullfrog D2 dopamine receptor cDNA: Tissue distribution of three isoforms of D2 dopamine receptor mRNA

The cDNA encoding D2 dopamine receptor was cloned from the distal lobe of the bullfrog pituitary. The deduced amino acid sequence of the bullfrog D2 dopamine receptor (bfD2A) spanned 444 amino acids and exhibited typical features of those of D2 dopamine receptors cloned in other animals to date. It showed a high similarity of 75–87% with rat, turkey, Xenopus and tilapia counterparts. Further analysis of nucleotide sequence of the cDNA revealed the presence of putative truncated D2 dopamine receptor isoforms, bfD2B and bfD2C, of which nucleotide sequences lacked 12 and 99 nucleotides of the coding region for bfD2A, respectively. The alignment analysis indicated that putative bfD2C isoform was close to D2 S subtype cloned in mammals and birds, whereas bfD2A and putative bfD2B isoforms were close to mammalian and avian D2 L subtype and homologous to two isoforms of Xenopus. This is the first report of the presence of mRNAs for two D2 L-like isoforms and one D2 S-like isoform in a single species. The amino acid sequence responsible for producing isoforms is present in the third intracellular loop, which has been shown to play an important role in the coupling with G protein. Accordingly, differences in the mode of coupling with G protein among three isoforms were suggested. The expression of three isoforms mRNA in organs and tissues was analyzed by RT-PCR. In the brain, pars distalis and pars neurointermedia, mRNAs for three isoforms were invariably expressed, whereas only putative bfD2C mRNA was expressed in peripheral organs and tissues.

8,9-Dihydroxy-1,2,3,11b-tetrahydrochromeno[4,3,2,- de]isoquinoline (dinoxyline), a high affinity and potent agonist at all dopamine receptor isoforms

The synthesis and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of 8,9-dihydroxy-1,2,3,11b-tetrahydrochromeno[4,3,2,- de]isoquinoline ( 5, now named dinoxyline) is described. This molecule was designed as a potential bioisostere that would conserve the essential elements of our β-phenyldopamine D 1 pharmacophore (i.e., position and orientation of the nitrogen, hydroxyls, and phenyl rings). Previously, we have rigidified these elements using alkyl bridges, as exemplified in the dopamine D 1 full agonist molecules dihydrexidine ( 1) and dinapsoline ( 2). This approach has been modified and we now show that it is possible to tether these elements using an ether linkage. Preliminary pharmacology has revealed that 5 is a potent full D 1 agonist (K 0.5 <10 nM; EC 50=30 nM), but also has high affinity for brain D 2-like and cloned D 2 and D 3 receptors. Interestingly, whereas 1 and 2 and their analogues have only moderate affinity for the human D 4 receptor, 5 also has high affinity for this isoform. Moreover, although N-alkylation of 1 and 2 increases D 2 affinity, the N-allyl ( 15) and N- n-propyl ( 17) derivatives of 5 had decreased D 2 affinity. Therefore, 5 may be engaging different amino acid residues than do 1 and 2 when they bind to the D 2 receptor. This is the first example of a ligand with high affinity at all dopamine receptors, yet with functional characteristics similar to dopamine. These rigid ligands also will be useful tools to determine specific residues of the receptor transmembrane domains that are critical for agonist ligand selectivity for the D 4 receptor.

Constitutive oligomerization of human D2 dopamine receptors expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (Sf9) and in HEK293 cells. Analysis using co-immunoprecipitation and time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer.

Human D2Long (D2L) and D2Short (D2S) dopamine receptor isoforms were modified at their N-terminus by the addition of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or a FLAG epitope tag. The receptors were then expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (Sf9) cells using the baculovirus system, and their oligomerization was investigated by means of co-immunoprecipitation and time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). [3H]Spiperone labelled D2 receptors in membranes prepared from Sf9 cells expressing epitope-tagged D2L or D2S receptors, with a pKd value of approximately 10. Co-immunoprecipitation using antibodies specific for the tags showed constitutive homo-oligomerization of D2L and D2S receptors in Sf9 cells. When the FLAG-tagged D2S and HIV-tagged D2L receptors were co-expressed, co-immunoprecipitation showed that the two isoforms can also form hetero-oligomers in Sf9 cells. Time-resolved FRET with europium and XL665-labelled antibodies was applied to whole Sf9 cells and to membranes from Sf9 cells expressing epitope-tagged D2 receptors. In both cases, constitutive homo-oligomers were revealed for D2L and D2S isoforms. Time-resolved FRET also revealed constitutive homo-oligomers in HEK293 cells expressing FLAG-tagged D2S receptors. The D2 receptor ligands dopamine, R-(-)propylnorapomorphine, and raclopride did not affect oligomerization of D2L and D2S in Sf9 and HEK293 cells. Human D2 dopamine receptors can therefore form constitutive oligomers in Sf9 cells and in HEK293 cells that can be detected by different approaches, and D2 oligomerization in these cells is not regulated by ligands.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of substituted naphth[1,2,3-de]isoquinolines (dinapsoline analogues) as D1 and D2 dopamine receptor ligands

Dinapsoline ((2); (±)-dihydroxy-2,3,7,11b-tetrahydro-1H-naphth[1,2,3-de]isoquinoline) is a full D1 dopamine agonist that also has significant D2 receptor affinity. Based on a similar pharmacophore, dinapsoline has pharmacological similarities to dihydrexidine ((1); (±)-trans-10,11-dihydroxy-5,6,6a,7,8,12b-hexahydrobenzo[a]phenanthridine), the first high affinity full D1 agonist. Small alkyl substitutions on the dihydrexidine backbone are known to alter markedly the D1:D2 selectivity of dihydrexidine, and it was of interest to determine whether similar SAR exists within the dinapsoline series. This report describes the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of six analogues of dinapsoline: N-allyl-(3);N-n-propyl- (4); 6-methyl- (5); 4-methyl- (6); 4-methyl-N-allyl- (7); and 4-methyl-N-n-propyl-dinapsoline (8). As expected from earlier studies with the dihydrexidine backbone, N-allyl (3) or N-n-propyl (4) analogues had markedly decreased D1 affinity. Unexpectedly, and unlike the dihydrexidine series, these same substituents did not markedly increase D2 affinity. The addition of a methyl group to position 6 (5) increased D1:D2 selectivity, but less markedly than did the analogous 2-methyl substituent added to 1. Unlike the analogous 4-methyl substituent of 1, the addition of a 4-methyl-group (6) actually decreased D1 affinity without affecting D2 affinity. These data demonstrate that the dinapsoline (2) backbone can be modified to produce dopamine agonists with novel properties. Moreover, as rigid ligands in which small substituents can cause significant changes in selectivity, they are important tools for deriving ‘differential’ SARs of the dopamine receptor isoforms.

Functional selectivity of dopamine receptor agonists. I. Selective activation of postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptors linked to adenylate cyclase.

Dihydrexidine (DHX), the first high-affinity D(1) dopamine receptor full agonist, is only 10-fold selective for D(1) versus D(2) receptors, having D(2) affinity similar to the prototypical agonist quinpirole. The D(2) functional properties of DHX and its more D(2) selective analog N-n-propyl-dihydrexidine (PrDHX) were explored in rat brain and pituitary. DHX and PrDHX had binding characteristics to D(2) receptors in rat striatum typical of D(2) agonists, binding to both high- and low-affinity sites and being sensitive to guanine-nucleotides. Consistent with these binding data, both DHX and PrDHX inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP synthesis in striatum with a potency and intrinsic activity equivalent to that of quinpirole. Unexpectedly, however, DHX and PrDHX had little functional effect at D(2) receptors expressed on dopaminergic neurons that mediate inhibition of cell firing, dopamine release, or dopamine synthesis. Quantitative receptor competition autoradiography demonstrated that DHX bound to D(2) receptors in striatum (predominantly postsynaptic receptor sites) with equal affinity as D(2) sites in the substantia nigra (autoreceptor sites). The data from these experiments, coupled with what is known about the location of specific dopamine receptor isoforms, lead to the hypothesis that DHX, after binding to D(2L) and D(2S) receptors, causes agonist-typical functional changes only at some of these receptors. This phenomenon (herein termed "functional selectivity") suggests that drugs may be targeted not only at specific receptor isoforms but also at separate functions mediated by a single isoform, yielding novel approaches to drug discovery.

The D2s dopamine receptor stimulates phospholipase D activity: a novel signaling pathway for dopamine.

The D2 dopamine receptor isoforms signal to a variety of cellular effectors in both the central nervous system and periphery. Two alternative splice forms of the D2 dopamine receptor exist, the D2s (short) and D2l (long), which has an insertion of 29 amino acids in the third intracellular loop (). In cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary, D2 dopamine receptors (both forms) are present on lactotroph cells coupled to the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, activation of voltage-gated calcium channels, and inhibition of potassium channels. We describe here a novel signaling pathway for the D2s, which is the activation of phospholipase D (PLD). GH4C1 cells, a clonal line derived from a rat pituitary tumor, were stably transfected with the gene encoding the D2s, generating GH4-121 cells. Treatment of GH4-121 cells with a dopaminergic agonist resulted in activation of PLD in both a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. This signaling pathway was not inhibited by prior treatment of cells with pertussis toxin at concentrations that ablate other D2s receptor signaling in this cell line. The stimulation of PLD activity by D2s appeared to correlate with the presence of a specific protein kinase C isoform, PKCepsilon. The D2s stimulation of PLD activity was blocked by preincubation of cells with C3 exoenzyme, indicating that the stimulation of PLD may involve Rho family members. The stimulation of PLD by dopaminergic agonists took place in the absence of any detectable stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism.

Expression of a D 2 dopamine receptor antisense RNA in brain inhibits D 2-mediated behaviors

Drugs currently used to treat disorders of dopamine-mediated behaviors in the central nervous system are non-selective in that they interact not only with more than one isoform of dopamine receptor but also with receptors for other neurotransmitters. A new strategy to inhibit the actions of individuals dopamine receptor subtypes is to inhibit the synthesis of the receptors through the use of oligonucleotides antisense to the transcripts encoding the different receptors. Earlier studies showed that oligodeoxynucleotides antisense to the D 1 or D 2 dopamine receptor messenger RNAs specifically inhibited the biological actions mediated by these individual isoforms of the dopamine receptor. However, these actions were relatively short-lasting. To determine whether one can achieve long-lasting inhibition of dopamine responses, while still taking advantage of the highly selective nature of an antisense strategy, an expression vector was employed that generates antisense RNA to the transcripts encoding the D 2 dopamine receptor. A single intrastriatal injection of this vector generated an antisense RNA to the D 2 dopamine receptor, selectively reduced the levels of D 2 dopamine receptors, and caused selective, long-term inhibition of behaviors mediated by D 2 dopamine agonists. Such an antisense RNA strategy may find use in studying the function of dopaminergic receptors and in disorders associated with dopaminergic hyperactivity.

Quantitative analysis of dopamine receptor messages in the mouse cochlea.

Dopamine receptor isoforms were examined in the cochlea of the CBA(J) mouse by RT-PCR analysis and nucleotide sequencing, utilizing primers specific for known dopamine receptor isoforms. Cochlear cDNA sequences corresponding to dopamine D2(long) and D3 receptors were amplified, whereas those representing D1A, D1B, D2(short), and D4 were not detected. Utilizing quantitative competitive PCR analysis, relative levels of dopamine receptor transcripts were found to be 0.002, 0.014, 0.016, and 1.000 for D2(long) cochlea, D3 cochlea, D3 brain, and D2(long) brain, respectively. In the context of previously published findings, the current work provides key quantitative evidence necessary to establish that dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the auditory inner ear.

The D2 dopamine receptor isoforms signal through distinct Gi alpha proteins to inhibit adenylyl cyclase. A study with site-directed mutant Gi alpha proteins.

Site-directed mutations of the cDNA for Gi1 alpha, Gi21 alpha, and Gi3 alpha were constructed which changed the cysteine residue at the C terminus to a glycine residue (Gi alpha PT). This mutation of the Gi alpha would not permit the subsequent covalent modification by pertussis toxin, which requires the cysteine moiety. The cDNA for each of the mutant Gi alpha subunits was transfected into GH4C1 cells with either of the alternative splice forms of the D2 dopamine receptor and clonal lines were generated. After treatment with pertussis toxin to remove the contribution from endogenous Gi proteins, the receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase was examined. The D2 dopamine receptor, short form (D2s) signaled through the Gi2 alpha PT mutant in these cells with an affinity for agonist which was comparable to that observed in cells transfected with the cDNA for D2s alone or the signaling observed in the absence of pertussis toxin. The long form of the D2 dopamine receptor (D2l) signaled through the Gi3 alpha PT mutant to inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase, with an affinity for agonist comparable to that observed in cells transfected with the cDNA for D2l alone. The receptor for somatostatin (somatotropin release inhibiting factor) was used as an endogenous control receptor in these cell lines. The somatotropin release inhibiting factor was able to signal through both Gi1 alpha PT and Gi3 alpha PT to inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase. These results indicated that receptors use distinct Gi proteins to signal to a common effector.

Synthesis and processing of D2 dopamine receptors

Dopamine receptors belong to a superfamily of neurotransmitter receptors that are functionally coupled to guanine nucleotide binding proteins. In this study, we have used Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with the rat D2L receptor, in conjunction with specific anti-peptide antibodies that we have developed, in order to visualize this protein and the course of its synthesis. The newly synthesized receptor exists as a 45-kDa protein which undergoes further processing to a 75-kDa glycosylated receptor in the CHO cells. In pulse-chase experiments it was noticed that a 35-kDa precursor was present which disappeared after 30 min. In order to determine whether this 35-kDa protein represents an unprocessed form of the receptor, we have employed an in vitro translation system with cDNA constructs coding for both the murine D2 and D3 dopamine receptor isoforms. In the absence of processing, the D2 and D3 receptors have an apparent molecular mass of 35 kDa. The translated proteins were shown to be the full length receptors by immunoprecipitation with various anti-peptide antibodies and by the demonstration that they can undergo glycosylation to apparent molecular masses of approximately 45 kDa in an in vitro system.

New insights into dopamine receptors in the central nervous system

Whereas biochemical and pharmacological studies indicated that there were two subclasses of dopamine receptor (D 1, D 2) the application of molecular biology techniques has defined at least six dopamine receptor isoforms. These may be divided into D 1-like (D 1, D 5) and D 2-like (D 2(short), D 2(long), D 3, D 4) subfamilies on the basis of their structural and pharmacological properties. In this commentary the common properties of these dopamine receptor species are described, including the predicted structures of seven transmembrane α-helices, amino acid homologies and conserved amino acids that may play important structural and functional roles. The D 1-like and D 2-like receptor isoforms have individual properties and these are described in terms of their structures, pharmacological and biochemical properties and localizations in different brain regions. The existence of multiple dopamine receptor isoforms is important for understanding how certain drugs achieve their therapeutic effects and how unwanted side effects arise. This is considered for the anti-parkinsonian and anti-schizophrenic drugs. The localization of D 1 and D 2 dopamine receptors to particular cell types in the neostriatum allows new insights to be made into the normal mode of action of dopamine to control motor function and how this is disturbed in disease states e.g. Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease. The detailed mode of action of anti-parkinsonian drugs can also be better understood from this. The availability, from molecular biology studies, of the amino acid sequences of the receptor isoforms allows predictions to be made of the structures of these species. In particular it is possible to produce speculative models of the three dimensional structures of the ligand-binding sites of these receptors. These speculations can be complemented by chemical modification, pH dependency and mutagenesis studies which provide information on the amino acid residues at the ligand binding site that actually interact with the ligand. In time it should be possible to understand in some detail the mechanism of receptor-ligand interaction and this will be important for the design of drugs targeted at specific isoforms.

Coupling of D 2 and D 3 dopamine receptors to G-proteins

Recombinant cell lines expressing D 2 and D 3 dopamine receptor isoforms have been used to study coupling of these receptors to G-proteins from the effects of GTP to reduce agonist binding affinities in agonist/[ 3H]spiperone competition experiments. D 2(short) expressed in Ltk − cells, D 2(long) expressed in Ltk − or CHO cells and D 3 expressed in CHO cells all showed coupling to the endogenous G-proteins of the cells. The detailed agonist binding characteristics indicated that there were differences in receptor/G-protein coupling for the same receptor (D 2(long) expressed in two cell types or for different receptors (D 2(long),D 2(short) expressed in the same cell type.

Lack of coupling of D-2 receptors to adenylate cyclase in GH-3 cells exposed to epidermal growth factor. Possible role of a differential expression of Gi protein subtypes.

Exposure of GH-3 cells to epidermal growth factor for 4 consecutive days induced the expression of both D-2(415) and D-2(444) dopamine-receptor isoforms. Epidermal growth factor also promoted a remarkable increase in the content of Gi3 protein, which is responsible for receptor-induced activation of potassium channels in GH-3 cells. D-2 receptors in this model apparently activate a specific transducing pathway, leading to opening of potassium channels and inhibition of prolactin release by cAMP-independent mechanisms. This is shown by: 1) the selective D-2 agonist quinpirole, while inactive on vasoactive intestinal peptide-induced prolactin release, strongly inhibited the hormone secretion induced by neurotensin; 2) quinpirole, up to 100 microM, did not inhibit cAMP production evoked by vasoactive intestinal peptide both in intact cells and in broken cell membrane preparations; and 3) quinpirole and other D-2 agonists strongly potentiated Rb+ efflux when measured in a nominally calcium-free reaction solution containing 100 mM potassium (voltage-dependent component), but did not modify Rb+ efflux if measured in a reaction solution containing 1 mM calcium and 5 mM potassium (calcium-activated, cAMP-dependent component).

Transcription mediated by a cAMP-responsive promoter element is reduced upon activation of dopamine D2 receptors.

Dopaminergic D2 receptors mediate the effect of dopamine on cellular effector systems by means of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins). The major biochemical effect evoked by these receptors is the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. As a consequence, the activation of D2 receptors lowers the intracellular cAMP level. Two cDNAs, originated by alternative splicing of the same gene, have been isolated: D2A and D2B. They code for two proteins of 444 and 415 amino acids. These proteins display high affinity for selective D2 dopamine ligands. D2A differs from D2B by an insertion of 87 nucleotides in its cDNA, which is located in a region of the protein considered important for the coupling to G proteins. To investigate functional differences between the two dopamine D2 receptor isoforms, we transiently expressed them in cultured cells. To do so we developed an assay to study membrane receptors that are coupled to the adenylyl cyclase. Using this assay, we were able to show that the stimulation of the adenylyl cyclase induced by the activation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor is inhibited more efficiently by D2B than D2A. The effects elicited by the D2 receptors are mediated by pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. Treatment of transfected cells with pertussis toxin abolishes the inhibitory effects in a dose- and receptor isoform-dependent manner. Our results suggest that the two dopamine receptor isoforms are differentially coupled to G proteins.