A physiological role for the dopamine D5 receptor as a regulator of BDNF and Akt signalling in rodent prefrontal cortex

Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013 Mar;16(2):477-83. doi: 10.1017/S1461145712000685. Epub 2012 Jul 25.

Abstract

The dopamine D5 receptor (D5R) exhibits a wide distribution in prefrontal cortex (PFC) but its role in this region has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we identified a novel physiological function for the D(5)R as a regulator of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Akt signalling in PFC. Specifically, acute activation of the D(5)R by the dopamine agonist SKF 83959 enhanced BDNF expression and signalling through its receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), in rats and in mice gene-deleted for the D1 receptor but not the D(5)R. These changes were concomitant with increased expression of GAD67, a protein whose down-regulation has been implicated in the aetiology of schizophrenia. Furthermore, D(5)R activation increased phosphorylation of Akt at the Ser(473) site, consequently decreasing the activity of its substrate GSK-3β. These findings could have wide-reaching implications given evidence showing activation of these pathways in PFC has therapeutic effects in neuropsychiatric disorders such as drug addiction, schizophrenia and depression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine / analogs & derivatives
  • 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine / pharmacology
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism*
  • Dopamine Agonists / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Prefrontal Cortex / drug effects
  • Prefrontal Cortex / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1 / deficiency
  • Receptors, Dopamine D5 / deficiency
  • Receptors, Dopamine D5 / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1
  • Receptors, Dopamine D5
  • 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine
  • SK&F 83959
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase
  • glutamate decarboxylase 1