"Full" dopamine D1 agonists in human caudate: biochemical properties and therapeutic implications

Dopamine receptor 1 expressing B cells exert a proinflammatory role in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic rheumatic disease with a clear sex-bias. Recent data indicated a role for dopamine in RA pathogenesis, while dopaminergic pathways can be modulated by estrogens. As defined mechanism of action of dopamine on B cell function in RA are unclear, we aimed to elucidate this, with special focus on sex-differences. Healthy controls (HC, n = 64) and RA patients (n = 61) were recruited. Expression of D₁-D₅ dopamine receptors (DRs) was investigated by flow cytometry on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). D₁-like DRs were stimulated in vitro to assess effects on B cell activation and proliferation. Secretion of cytokines and dopamine content were measured by ELISA. All DRs were expressed on PBMCs of HC and RA patients. Dopamine content in PBMCs, and frequency of D₁DR expressing B cells were significantly higher in RA females (p < 0.001). Expression of D₁DR on RA B cells correlated positively with disease duration and severity only in women. Combined B cell and D₁-like DR stimulation induced higher IL-8 and CCL-3 secretion from PBMCs of female RA patients compared to HC. These results indicate sex-specific differences in dopaminergic pathway in RA, with a proinflammatory feature of the D₁DR pathway in women.

D1, not D2, dopamine receptor activation dramatically improves MPTP-induced parkinsonism unresponsive to levodopa

Levodopa is the standard-of-care for Parkinson's disease, but continued loss of dopamine neurons with disease progression decreases its bioconversion to dopamine, leading to increased side effects and decreased efficacy. In theory, dopamine agonists could equal levodopa, but no approved oral "dopamine agonist" matches the efficacy of levodopa. There are consistent data in both primate models and in Parkinson's disease showing that selective high intrinsic activity D1 agonists can equal levodopa in efficacy. There are, however, no data on whether such compounds would be effective in severe disease when levodopa efficacy is low or absent. We compared two approved antiparkinson drugs (levodopa and the D2/3 agonist bromocriptine) with the experimental selective D1 full agonist dihydrexidine in two severely parkinsonian MPTP-treated non-human primates. Bromocriptine caused no discernible improvement in parkinsonian signs, whereas levodopa caused a small transient improvement in one of the two subjects. Conversely, the full D1 agonist dihydrexidine caused a dramatic improvement in both subjects, decreasing parkinsonian signs by ca. 75%. No attenuation of dihydrexidine effects was observed when the two subjects were pretreated with the D2 antagonist remoxipride. These data provide evidence that selective D1 agonists may provide profound antiparkinson symptomatic relief even when the degree of nigrostriatal degeneration is so severe that current drugs are ineffective. Until effective disease-modifying therapies are discovered, high intrinsic activity D1 agonists may offer a major therapeutic advance in improving the quality of life, and potentially the longevity, of late stage Parkinson's patients.

Translation-Focused Approaches to GPCR Drug Discovery for Cognitive Impairments Associated with Schizophrenia

There are no effective therapeutics for cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia (CIAS), which includes deficits in executive functions (working memory and cognitive flexibility) and episodic memory. Compounds that have entered clinical trials are inadequate in terms of efficacy and/or tolerability, highlighting a clear translational bottleneck and a need for a cohesive preclinical drug development strategy. In this review we propose hippocampal-prefrontal-cortical (HPC-PFC) circuitry underlying CIAS-relevant cognitive processes across mammalian species as a target source to guide the translation-focused discovery and development of novel, procognitive agents. We highlight several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) enriched within HPC-PFC circuitry as therapeutic targets of interest, including noncanonical approaches (biased agonism and allosteric modulation) to conventional clinical targets, such as dopamine and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, along with prospective novel targets, including the orphan receptors GPR52 and GPR139. We also describe the translational limitations of popular preclinical cognition tests and suggest touchscreen-based assays that probe cognitive functions reliant on HPC-PFC circuitry and reflect tests used in the clinic, as tests of greater translational relevance. Combining pharmacological and behavioral testing strategies based in HPC-PFC circuit function creates a cohesive, translation-focused approach to preclinical drug development that may improve the translational bottleneck currently hindering the development of treatments for CIAS.

Novel Dopamine Therapeutics for Cognitive Deficits in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is characterized by profound cognitive deficits that are not alleviated by currently available medications. Many of these cognitive deficits involve dysfunction of the newly evolved, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). The brains of patients with schizophrenia show evidence of dlPFC pyramidal cell dendritic atrophy, likely reductions in cortical dopamine, and possible changes in dopamine D1 receptors (D1R). It has been appreciated for decades that optimal levels of dopamine are essential for dlPFC working memory function, with many beneficial actions arising from D1R stimulation. D1R are concentrated on dendritic spines in the primate dlPFC, where their stimulation produces an inverted-U dose response on dlPFC neuronal firing and cognitive performance during working memory tasks. Research in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry has led to the development of selective D1 agonists, e.g., the first full D1 agonist, dihydrexidine, which at low doses improved working memory in monkeys. Dihydrexidine has begun to be tested in patients with schizophrenia or schizotypal disorder. Initial results are encouraging, but studies are limited by the pharmacokinetics of the drug. These data, however, have spurred efforts toward the discovery and development of improved or novel new compounds, including D1 agonists with better pharmacokinetics, functionally selective D1 ligands, and D1R positive allosteric modulators. One or several of these approaches should allow optimization of the beneficial effects of D1R stimulation in the dlPFC that can be translated into clinical practice.

Infusion of D1 Dopamine Receptor Agonist into Medial Frontal Cortex Disrupts Neural Correlates of Interval Timing

Medial frontal cortical (MFC) dopamine is essential for the organization of behavior in time. Our prior work indicates that blocking D1 dopamine receptors (D1DR) attenuates temporal processing and low-frequency oscillations by MFC neuronal networks. Here we investigate the effects of focal infusion of the D1DR agonist SKF82958 into MFC during interval timing. MFC D1DR agonist infusion impaired interval timing performance without changing overall firing rates of MFC neurons. MFC ramping patterns of neuronal activity that reflect temporal processing were attenuated following infusion of MFC D1DR agonist. MFC D1DR agonist infusion also altered MFC field potentials by enhancing delta activity between 1 and 4 Hz and attenuating alpha activity between 8 and 15 Hz. These data support the idea that the influence of D1-dopamine signals on frontal neuronal activity adheres to a U-shaped curve, and that cognition requires optimal levels of dopamine in frontal cortex.

Effects of the D1 dopamine receptor agonist dihydrexidine (DAR-0100A) on working memory in schizotypal personality disorder

Pharmacological enhancement of prefrontal D1 dopamine receptor function remains a promising therapeutic approach to ameliorate schizophrenia-spectrum working memory deficits, but has yet to be rigorously evaluated clinically. This proof-of-principle study sought to determine whether the active enantiomer of the selective and full D1 receptor agonist dihydrexidine (DAR-0100A) could attenuate working memory impairments in unmedicated patients with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD). We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of DAR-0100A (15 mg/150 ml of normal saline administered intravenously over 30 min) in medication-free patients with SPD (n=16) who met the criteria for cognitive impairment (ie, scoring below the 25th percentile on tests of working memory). We employed two measures of verbal working memory that are salient to schizophrenia-spectrum cognitive deficits, and that clinical data implicate as being associated with prefrontal D1 availability: (1) the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT); and (2) the N-back test (ratio of 2-back:0-back scores). Study procedures occurred over four consecutive days, with working memory testing on Days 1 and 4, and DAR-0100A/placebo administration on Days 2-4. Treatment with DAR-0100A was associated with significantly improved PASAT performance relative to placebo, with a very large effect size (Cohen's d=1.14). Performance on the N-back ratio was also significantly improved; however, this effect rested on both a non-significant enhancement and diminution of 2-back and 0-back performance, respectively; therefore interpretation of this finding is more complicated. DAR-0100A was generally well tolerated, with no serious medical or psychiatric adverse events; common side effects were mild to moderate and transient, consisting mainly of sedation, lightheadedness, tachycardia, and hypotension; however, we were able to minimize these effects, without altering the dose, with supportive measures, eg, co-administered normal saline. Although preliminary, these findings lend further clinical support to the potential of D1 receptor agonists to treat schizophrenia-spectrum working memory impairments. These data suggest a need for further studies with larger group sizes, serum DAR-0100A levels, and a more comprehensive neuropsychological battery.

Dopamine D1 receptor activation induces dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) in HepG2 cells

AIM

Dopamine receptors are present in the nervous system and also widely distributed in the periphery. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of D1 subtype dopamine receptors (DRD1) in the regulation of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) in HepG2 cells.

METHODS

HepG2 cells were treated with DRD1 agonists with or without DRD1 antagonist for 9 d. DRD1 and SULT2A1 mRNA expression, protein expression, and SULT2A1 activity were detected using RT-PCR, Western blotting and HPLC, respectively. The level of cAMP was measured using a commercial kit.

RESULTS

All the 5 DR subtypes (DRD1-DRD5) were found to be expressed in HepG2 cells. Treatment of HepG2 cells with the specific DRD1 agonists SKF82958 (2.5 μmol/L) or SKF38393 (5 and 50 μmol/L) significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of both DRD1 and SULT2A1, and increased SULT2A1 activity and cAMP levels. These effects were partially blocked by co-treatment with the specific DRD1 antagonist SCH23390 (2.5 μmol/L). In addition, transfection of HepG2 cells with DRD1-specific siRNAs decreased DRD1 mRNA expression by 40%, which resulted in the reduction of SULT2A1 mRNA expression by 60%, protein expression by 40%, and enzyme activity by 20%.

CONCLUSION

DRD1 activation upregulates DRD1 and SULT2A1 expression and SULT2A1 activity in HepG2 cells, suggesting that the DRD1 subtype may be involved in the metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics through regulating SULT2A1.

Prolactin and fMRI response to SKF38393 in the baboon

Background. This study's goal was to provide dose-response data for a dopamine agonist in the baboon using standard methods (replicate measurements at each dose, across a range of doses), as a standard against which to subsequently validate a novel pharmacological MRI (phMRI) method. Dependent variables were functional MRI (fMRI) data from brain regions selected a priori, and systemic prolactin release. Necessary first steps included estimating the magnitude and time course of prolactin response to anesthesia alone and to various doses of agonist. These first steps ("time course studies") were performed with three agonists, and the results were used to select promising agonists and to guide design details for the single-dose studies needed to generate dose-response curves. Methods. We studied 6 male baboons (Papio anubis) under low-dose isoflurane anesthesia after i.m. ketamine. Time course studies charted the changes in plasma prolactin levels over time after anesthesia alone or after an intravenous (i.v.) dose of the dopamine D 1-like agonists SKF82958 and SKF38393 or the D 2-like agonist pramipexole. In the single-dose dopamine agonist studies, one dose of SKF38393 (ranging from 0.0928-9.28 mg/kg, N = 5 animals) or pramipexole (0.00928-0.2 mg/kg, N = 1) was given i.v. during a 40-min blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) fMRI session, to determine BOLD and plasma prolactin responses to different drug concentrations. BOLD response was quantified as the area under the time-signal curve for the first 15 min after the start of the drug infusion, compared to the linearly predicted signal from the baseline data before drug. The ED50 (estimated dose that produces 50% of the maximal possible response to drug) for SKF38393 was calculated for the serum prolactin response and for phMRI responses in hypothalamus, pituitary, striatum and midbrain. Results. Prolactin rose 2.4- to 12-fold with anesthesia alone, peaking around 50-90 min after ketamine administration and gradually tapering off but still remaining higher than baseline on isoflurane 3-5 h after ketamine. Baseline prolactin level increased with age. SKF82958 0.1 mg/kg i.v. produced no noticeable change in plasma prolactin concentration. SKF38393 produced a substantial increase in prolactin release that peaked at around 20-30 min and declined to pre-drug levels in about an hour. Pramipexole quickly reduced prolactin levels below baseline, reaching a nadir 2-3 h after infusion. SKF38393 produced clear, dose-responsive BOLD signal changes, and across the four regions, ED50 was estimated at 2.6-8.1 mg/kg. Conclusions. In the baboon, the dopamine D 1 receptor agonist SKF38393 produces clear plasma prolactin and phMRI dose-response curves. Variability in age and a modest sample size limit the precision of the conclusions.

Opposing effects on the phrenic motor pathway attributed to dopamine-D1 and -D3/D2 receptor activation

Previous in vivo studies revealed that dopamine-D1-agonists elevate excitability of ventral respiratory column (VRC) neurons and increase discharge activity in the phrenic motor output through actions in the brainstem. In this in vivo study performed on pentobarbital-anesthetized cats, we show that D1-agonists (SKF-38393, dihydrexidine) given intravenously enhanced discharge activity in VRC inspiratory neurons and the phrenic nerve in two stages; discharge intensity first increased to a peak and then discharge duration increased. Cross-correlation analysis of VRC inspiratory neuron and phrenic nerve discharges showed that both stages increased strength of coupling between medullary inspiratory neurons and the phrenic motoneuron output. Intracellular recording and microiontophoresis experiments indicated that D1-agonists produced their stimulatory effects indirectly through actions on synaptic inputs to VRC inspiratory neurons. Because other laboratories have provided evidence that dopamine acting on other types of receptors depresses respiratory neuron excitability we tested the effects of piribedil, an agonist that activates receptors of the generally depressant D3/D2-dopamine receptor family, on phrenic nerve activity. Piribedil depressed phrenic nerve inspiratory discharge intensity, prolonged discharge duration, slowed burst frequency and slowed rate of action potential augmentation. The effects of piribedil were partially counteracted by intravenous injection of dihydrexidine. We propose that under normal, steady state conditions, D1-receptor-mediated excitatory modulation of phrenic motor output overrides D3/D2-receptor mediated inhibition.

Pharmacology of signaling induced by dopamine D(1)-like receptor activation

Dopamine D(1)-like receptors consisting of D(1) and D(5) subtypes are intimately implicated in dopaminergic regulation of fundamental neurophysiologic processes such as mood, motivation, cognitive function, and motor activity. Upon stimulation, D(1)-like receptors initiate signal transduction cascades that are mediated through adenylyl cyclase or phosphoinositide metabolism, with subsequent enhancement of multiple downstream kinase cascades. The latter actions propagate and further amplify the receptor signals, thus predisposing D(1)-like receptors to multifaceted interactions with various other mediators and receptor systems. The adenylyl cyclase response to dopamine or selective D(1)-like receptor agonists is reliably associated with the D(1) subtype, while emerging evidence indicates that the phosphoinositide responses in native brain tissues may be preferentially mediated through stimulation of the D(5) receptor. Besides classic coupling of each receptor subtype to specific G proteins, additional biophysical models are advanced in attempts to account for differential subcellular distribution, heteromolecular oligomerization, and activity-dependent selectivity of the receptors. It is expected that significant advances in understanding of dopamine neurobiology will emerge from current and anticipated studies directed at uncovering the molecular mechanisms of D(5) coupling to phosphoinositide signaling, the structural features that might enhance pharmacological selectivity for D(5) versus D(1) subtypes, the mechanism by which dopamine may modulate phosphoinositide synthesis, the contributions of the various responsive signal mediators to D(1) or D(5) interactions with D(2)-like receptors, and the spectrum of dopaminergic functions that may be attributed to each receptor subtype and signaling pathway.

Comparison of the enantiomers of (+/-)-doxanthrine, a high efficacy full dopamine D(1) receptor agonist, and a reversal of enantioselectivity at D(1) versus alpha(2C) adrenergic receptors

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative condition involving the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Dopamine D(1) receptor agonists are potential alternative treatments to current therapies that employ L-DOPA, a dopamine precursor. We evaluated the pharmacological profiles of the enantiomers of a novel dopamine D(1) receptor full agonist, doxanthrine (DOX) at D(1) and alpha(2C) adrenergic receptors. (+)-DOX displayed greater potency and intrinsic activity than (-)-DOX in porcine striatal tissue and in a heterologous D(1) receptor expression system. Studies in MCF7 cells, which express an endogenous human dopamine D(1)-like receptor, revealed that (-)-DOX was a weak partial agonist/antagonist that reduced the functional activity of (+)-DOX and dopamine. (-)-DOX had 10-fold greater potency than (+)-DOX at alpha(2C) adrenergic receptors, with an EC50 value of 4 nM. These findings demonstrate a reversed stereoselectivity for the enantiomers of DOX at D(1) and alpha(2C) receptors and have implications for the therapeutic utility of doxanthrine.

Impaired expression of postsynaptic density proteins in the hippocampal CA1 region of rats following perinatal hypoxia

Perinatal hypoxia is an important cause of brain injury amongst the newborn, such injury often resulting in an increased risk of impaired performance as regards learning and memory in later life for the affected individual. The postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95) protein is a cytoskeletal specialization involved in the anchoring of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in postsynaptic neurons and has been reported to serve several important functions (e.g., synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity and learning and memory performance) for the mammalian brain. Herein we investigated the long-term effects of perinatal hypoxia upon the complex of PSD-95 with NMDAR subunits by means of downstream signalling cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation at the Serine-133 locus (CREB(Ser-133) phosphorylation) within the hippocampal CA1 area (an essential integration area for mammalian learning and memory) within test-rat brains, as well as the effects upon afflicted-individual long-term learning and memory performance. We also assessed the therapeutic efficacy of dopamine D1/D5 receptor (D1/D5R) activation for such study animals. Perinatal hypoxia on postnatal day ten (P10) led to impaired performance as regards long-term spatial learning and memory (as determined on P45) associated with decreases in the level of CREB(Ser-133) phosphorylation and decreases in the expression of the complex of PSD-95 with NMDAR subunits (NR1, NR2A, and NR2B). In addition, activation of the D1/D5R via A68930 (a selective, CNS-permeable agonist of D1/D5Rs) administration (2 mg/kg/day, P17-23 inclusively) markedly attenuated the hypoxia-induced deleterious effects, suggesting an effective therapeutic efficacy for A68930. Our results demonstrate the long-term effects of perinatal hypoxia upon the developing brain and provide additional insights into the relative vulnerability of postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins to such insult, as well as the impairment of downstream transcription signalling CREB(Ser-133) phosphorylation following perinatal hypoxia. More importantly, D1/D5R activation following perinatal hypoxia may be an alternative therapeutic strategy to that which is currently available and may offer significant clinical potential for hypoxia sufferers.

Identification of human dopamine D1-like receptor agonist using a cell-based functional assay

AIM

To establish a cell-based assay to screen human dopamine D1 and D5 receptor agonists against compounds from a natural product compound library.

METHODS

Synthetic responsive elements 6 cAMP response elements (CRE) and a mini promoter containing a TATA box were inserted into the pGL3 basic vector to generate the reporter gene construct pCRE/TA/Luci. CHO cells were co-transfected with the reporter gene construct and human D1 or D5 receptor cDNA in mammalian expression vectors. Stable cell lines were established for agonist screening. A natural product compound library from over 300 herbs has been established. The extracts from these herbs were used for human D1 and D5 receptor agonist screenings.

RESULTS

A number of extracts were identified that activated both D1 and D5 receptors. One of the herb extracts, SBG492, demonstrated distinct pharmacological characteristics with human D1 and D5 receptors. The EC(50) values of SBG492 were 342.7 microg/mL for the D1 receptor and 31.7 microg/mL for the D5 receptor.

CONCLUSION

We have established a cell-based assay for high-throughput drug screening to identify D1-like receptor agonists from natural products. Several extracts that can active D1-like receptors were discovered. These compounds could be useful tools for studies on the functions of these receptors in the brain and could potentially be developed into therapeutic drugs for the treatment of central nervous system diseases.

Impaired SynGAP expression and long-term spatial learning and memory in hippocampal CA1 area from rats previously exposed to perinatal hypoxia-induced insults: beneficial effects of A68930

Hypoxic encephalopathy is a common cause of neonatal seizures and long-term neurological cognitive deficits. In rats at postnatal days 10-12 (P10-P12), global hypoxia induced spontaneous seizures and chronic brain injury, mimicking clinical aspects of neonatal hypoxia. Synaptic Ras-GTPase activating protein (SynGAP) has important roles in RAS/MAPK-dependent synaptic plasticity and mammalian learning. We investigated possible alterations of SynGAP expression occurring in memory-impaired animals previously exposed to perinatal hypoxia insults. We also evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of A68930, a selective agonist of dopamine D1/D5 receptors, on perinatal hypoxia insults. In the hippocampal CA1 region, perinatal hypoxia insults (P10) led to a reduction in SynGAP expression associated with impairment in long-term spatial learning and memory performance at P45. The use of A68930 (at a dose of 1, 2, 3mg/kg, P17-P23) effectively attenuated the deleterious effects as described above. Our results may indicate the involvement of SynGAP in certain forms of brain injury, leading to long-term learning and memory deficits. A68930 may have clinical potential as a therapeutic agent for alleviation of long-term cognitive deficits in rats and other animal models.

Dihydrexidine--the first full dopamine D1 receptor agonist

The functional role of dopamine D(1) receptors is still controversial. One reason for this controversy is that for a long time the only available agonists for in vivo characterization of dopamine D(1) receptors were benzazepines. Among them was the prototype dopamine D(1) receptor partial agonist, SKF 38393. The lack of a selective and fully efficacious dopamine D(1) receptor agonist hampered basic research on dopamine D(1) receptors and left the potential clinical utility of dopamine D(1) receptor agonists elusive. The research situation improved when the first potent full dopamine D(1) receptor agonist dihydrexidine, a phenanthridine, was introduced in the late 1980s. In contrast to SKF 38393, dihydrexidine was shown to stimulate cyclic AMP synthesis just as well or better than dopamine, and potently displaced [(3)H]SCH 23390 from rat and monkey striatal membranes. Also, dihydrexidine was the first dopamine D(1) receptor agonist that had potent antiparkinsonian activity in a primate model of Parkinson's disease. This finding suggested clinical utility for dopamine D(1) receptor agonists in Parkinson's disease and that this utility might be critically dependent on the intrinsic efficacy of the drug. Clinical utility for dopamine D(1) receptor agonists in other central nervous disorders might also be dependent on the intrinsic efficacy of the drug. However, even though studies with dihydrexidine as a pharmacological tool have pointed to the clinical use for dopamine D(1) receptor agonists, dihydrexidine's unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile and various adverse effects are likely to restrict or even preclude its use in humans. This review article provides an updated overview of the pharmacology of dihydrexidine and discusses possible clinical utility of dopamine D(1) receptor agonists in various central nervous system disorders.

Effects of dopamine D1 receptor full agonists in rats trained to discriminate SKF 38393

Although the dopaminergic pharmacology of the D1 receptor full agonists, dinapsoline, dihydrexidine and the prodrug ABT-431 have been studied, no information is available on the ability of these agonists to substitute for the D1 agonist SKF 38393 in rats trained to discriminate this compound from vehicle. The present study was designed to characterize the potential D1 discriminative stimulus effects of these compounds. The selective dopamine D1-receptor agonists dihydrexidine [(+/-)-trans-10,11-dihydroxy-5,6,6a,7,8,12b-hexahydrobenzo[a] phenanthridine hydrochloride], ABT-431 [(-)-trans-9,10-diacetyloxy-2-propyl-4,5,5a,6,7,11b-hexahydro-3-thia-5-azacyclopent-1-ena[c]phenanthrene hydrochloride], the diacetyl prodrug derivative of A-86929, and dinapsoline [9-dihydroxy-2,3,7,11b-tetrahydro-1H-naph[1,2,3-de]isoquinoline] were studied in rats trained to discriminate racemic SKF 38393 [(+/-)-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-(1H)-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol], a selective D1 receptor partial agonist from vehicle. All of the agonists substituted fully for the discriminative stimulus effects of SKF 38393. The rank order of potency for substitution was ABT-431 > dinapsoline > dihydrexidine > SKF 38393. The D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390, blocked the discriminative stimulus effects of SKF 38393. The D3/D2-receptor agonist PD 128,907 [S(+)-(4aR,10bR)-3,4,4a,10b-tetrahydro-4-propyl-2H,5H-[1]-benzopyrano[4,3-b]-1,4-oxazin-9-ol] did not substitute up to doses that produced profound rate-suppressant effects. Thus, consistent with their D1 receptor pharmacology, the full D1-receptor agonists substituted completely for the discriminative stimulus of SKF 38393.

Dopamine D(1) agonist activates temporal lobe structures in primates

Changes in the function of dopamine D(1)-influenced neuronal pathways may be important to the pathophysiology of several human diseases. We recently developed methods for averaging functional imaging data across nonhuman primate subjects; in this study, we apply this method for the first time to map brain responses to experimental dopamine agonists in vivo. Here we report the use of positron emission tomography (PET) in seven normal baboons to measure the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) responses produced by an acute dose of the dopamine D(1) full agonist SKF82958. The most significant rCBF increases were in bilateral temporal lobe, including amygdala and superior temporal sulcus (6-17%, P < 0.001). Blood flow decreased in thalamus, pallidum, and pons (4-7%, P = 0.001). Furthermore the rCBF responses were dose-dependent and had a half-life of approximately 30 min, similar to that reported for the drug's antiparkinsonian effects. Absolute whole-brain blood flow did not change, suggesting that these local changes in rCBF reflect neuronal rather than direct vascular effects of the agonist. The prominent temporal lobe response to a D(1) agonist supports and extends our recent observations that levodopa produces prominent amygdala activation both in humans and in other primates. We speculate that levodopa may exert its known effects on mood in humans through increased amygdala activity, mediated in part by D(1) receptors.

Effects of postmortem delay on serotonin and (+)8-OH-DPAT-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity in rat and human brain tissues

The reproducibility of serotonin (5-HT) and (+)8-OH-DPAT-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity was assessed in membranes, stimulated by forskolin, of rat frontal cortex postmortem as well as of human fronto-cortical, hippocampal and dorsal raphe tissues obtained from autopsy brains. The results revealed that differences between basal and forskolin-stimulated enzyme activities were still significant after 48 h postmortem in rat cortex and in all human brain regions up to 46 h after death. However, a decrease of about 17 and 26% in forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was observed at 24 and 48 h, respectively, in rat cortex. 5-HT and the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, (+)8-hydroxy-2(di-N-propylamino)tetraline (8-OH-DPAT), were able to inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner for 48 h after death in rat and human brain. In rat cortex, both 5-HT and (+)8-OH-DPAT potencies (EC50, nM) and efficacies (percent of maximum inhibition capacity, %) varied significantly with postmortem delay. Conversely, in human tissues, postmortem delay and subject age did not modify agonist potencies and efficacies. Furthermore, a regionality of 5-HT potency and efficacy was revealed in the human brain. 5-HT was equally potent in cortex and raphe nuclei, while being more potent but less effective in hippocampus. (+)8-OH-DPAT was more active in hippocampus and raphe nuclei than in cortex. (+)8-OH-DPAT behaved as an agonist in all areas, as its efficacy was similar or greater than those obtained with 5-HT. The (+)8-OH-DPAT dose-response curve was completely reversed by 5-HT1A receptor antagonists in rat cortex and all human brain areas. In conclusion, we suggest here that differences between rat and human brain might exist at the level of postmortem degradation of 5-HT-sensitive adenylyl cyclase activity. In human brain, 5-HT1A receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase seems to be reproducible, suggesting that reliable experiments can be carried out on postmortem specimens from patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.

Dopamine D1 and D2 receptor selectivities of phenyl-benzazepines in rhesus monkey striata

Several phenyl-benzazepine compounds, putatively selective dopamine D1 receptor agonists, have been used to study the effects of dopamine D1 receptor stimulation in rodents and nonhuman primates. However, the dopamine receptor selectivities of these compounds have not been established in nonhuman primates. Accordingly, the relative selectivities of six phenyl-benzazepines for dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptors were assessed in rhesus monkey and, for comparison, rat striata. The compounds tested had higher affinity for D1 than D2 receptors in both species; however, their selectivity varied by up to three orders of magnitude. GTP (100 microM) reduced agonist binding at the high-affinity state of the dopamine D1 receptor, but the magnitude of the effect of GTP did not reliably predict a compound's efficacy. Furthermore, a history of cocaine self-administration did not appear to influence dopamine receptor binding characteristics in the rhesus monkeys in this study. The present results will aid the comparison of dopamine receptor binding characteristics and behavioral effects of D1 dopamine receptor agonists.

D1 dopamine receptor agonists mediate activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase by a protein kinase A-dependent mechanism in SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cells

We investigated the effects of D1 dopamine receptor stimulation on the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cells. We found that the D1 dopamine receptor agonist SKF38393 induced similar time- and dose-related activation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), whereas extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity was not affected by D1 dopamine receptor stimulation. Maximal stimulation of p38 MAPK and JNK was observed after a 15-min incubation with 100 microM SKF38393. In contrast, 10 microM quinpirole, a D2 dopamine receptor agonist, did not activate p38 MAPK or JNK. Treatment of cells with 10 muM SCH23390, a D1 dopamine receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the activation of both kinases by SKF38393. These results indicate that activation of the p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways is mediated by dopamine D1 receptors in SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells. Furthermore, dibutyryl-cAMP mimicked SKF38393-mediated stimulation of p38 MAPK and JNK. Inhibition of protein kinase A by 1 microM H-89 or 10 microM adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphothioate (Rp-isomer, triethylammonium salt) markedly attenuated the activation of p38 MAPK and JNK. Conversely, the selective protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C did not block D1 dopamine receptor-stimulated activation of p38 MAPK and JNK. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that the Gs-coupled D1 dopamine receptor activates the p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways by a protein kinase A-dependent mechanism.

Long-lasting effects of chronic mu-opioid intake on the signal transmission via dopamine D1 receptors in the limbic forebrain of drug deprived rats

Rats orally self-administered the potent and selective mu-opioid receptor agonist etonitazene for 8 weeks (free choice between three opioid solutions and water resulting in low drug intake, or forced intake of a single drug solution resulting in high opioid consumption). The signal transmission in membranes of the limbic forebrain (nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle) was studied during acute withdrawal (2 days of abstinence) and after 6 weeks of drug deprivation. Binding experiments with the dopamine (DA) D1 receptor antagonist [3H]SCH23390 revealed in the high consuming rats an increased binding density (Bmax) by 19% during withdrawal and a decreased Bmax by 17% after long-term abstinence compared with drug-naive controls (each P < 0.05). The addition of 500 nM DA reduced the [3H]SCH23390 binding affinity (Kd increased by 60-105%) and density (by 15-23%) in each of the five groups (P < 0.001). During acute withdrawal, the portion of Bmax inhibited by DA increased by 83% in the high consuming rats vs. the controls (P < 0.05). Full concentration-response curves of adenylyl cyclase (AC) stimulation by the DA D1 receptor agonist dihydrexidine and of inhibition of forskolin stimulated AC activity by the GTP analogue guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate (GTPgammaS) were performed: the former revealed a reduced maximum efficacy (Emax decreased by 23-37%), P < 0.001), the latter a reduced effective concentration (EC50 decreased by 60-103%, P < 0.05), in each etonitazene-experienced group vs. the controls.

Dopamine stimulation of cardiac beta-adrenoceptors: the involvement of sympathetic amine transporters and the effect of SKF38393

1. Mechanisms underlying beta-adrenoceptor stimulation by dopamine were examined on guinea-pig Langendorff-perfused hearts and isolated cells from the right atrium, by using the chronotropic effects and the enhancement of L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) in the presence of prazosin as indicators of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation. Dopamine-induced overflow of noradrenaline (NA) concentrations was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. 2. Dopamine caused positive chronotropic effects with an EC50 of 2.5 microM and induced NA overflow with a similar EC50 (1.3 microM). The chronotropic effect of dopamine was abolished by bisoprolol (1 microM). 3. The effects of dopamine were maintained during prolonged application, whereas the effects of tyramine faded with time. Dopamine (3 microM) restored the chronotropic effects and the NA release suppressed by pretreatment with tyramine, suggesting a de novo synthesis of NA during the exposure to dopamine. 4. Dopamine (3 microM)-induced NA release was not affected by tetrodotoxin, omega-conotoxin, rauwolscine, ICI118551 or sulpiride, but was inhibited by desipramine, a NA uptake inhibitor (IC50 approximately 1 microM). It was also not affected by GBR12909 and bupropion, dopamine uptake inhibitors in the central nervous system. 5. SKF38393, a D1 receptor partial agonist, potently inhibited the 3 microM dopamine-induced release of NA (IC50 approximately 0.1 microM). D1 receptors are not involved in the DA-induced release of NA, since SCH23390 (3 microM), a potent D1 antagonist, inhibited the NA release only slightly, and dihydrexidine (1 microM) and chloro-APB (1 microM), full D1 agonists, caused no significant NA release. 6. SKF38393 inhibited tyramine-induced overflow of NA, and potentiated the field stimulation-induced NA release. SKF38393 and desipramine retarded the decay of the stimulation-induced tachycardia in a similar manner. These results indicate that SKF38393 is a potent monoamine transport inhibitor and a useful tool for the functional evaluation of indirectly-acting sympathomimetic agonists in the heart. In the presence of SKF38393 (10 microM), dopamine at 1 microM showed no chronotropic effect. 7. Voltage clamp experiments with isolated atrial cells revealed that dopamine is a weak partial agonist. The EC50 for ICa,L stimulation by dopamine was high (13 microM). As a result, dopamine at 1 microM did not affect ICa,L. Bisoprolol abolished the stimulation of ICa,L by dopamine (30 microM), and dihydrexidine (1 microM) did not affect ICa,L. 8. It was concluded that the cardiac effects of dopamine at clinically relevant concentrations (< 1 microM) result almost exclusively from the indirect effect of beta adrenoceptor stimulation, involving the release of NA from sympathetic nerve terminals. The roles of the direct stimulation of beta adrenoceptors by dopamine at these concentrations and the stimulation of postjunctional D1 receptors seem negligible. The desipramine- and SKF38393-sensitive monoamine transporter mediates the release of NA.

Spare receptors and intrinsic activity: studies with D1 dopamine receptor agonists

The intrinsic activities of selected dopamine D1 receptor agonists were compared in three distinct molecular expression systems, C-6, Ltk, and GH4 cells transfected with primate D1A receptors. The influence of the cell expression system on intrinsic activity varied markedly among agonists. Dihydrexidine (DHX), a potent full agonist with dramatic antiparkinsonian actions, displayed intrinsic activity similar to dopamine in all three cell lines. In contrast, SKF82958 and SKF38393 (full and partial agonists, respectively, in rat striatum) had intrinsic activities equal to dopamine in GH4 cells that expressed a high density of D1 receptors, yet were of lower intrinsic activity in C-6 cells having 15-fold fewer receptors. The idea that spare receptors are one important determinant of observed intrinsic activity was explored directly by "receptor titration," in which ca. 90% of D1 receptors in Ltk cells were inactivated using EEDQ, an irreversible antagonist. Whereas EEDQ pretreatment decreased the potency of all agonists, it changed the intrinsic activity of some, but not all, drugs. A 40% decrease was seen with the partial agonist SKF38393, and, surprisingly, a 30% decrease was seen with the purported full agonist SKF82958. Conversely, the intrinsic activity of DHX and A68930 were unaffected by the EEDQ treatment. The data demonstrate that significant and biologically meaningful differences in intrinsic efficacy (e.g., DHX vs. SKF82958) may be obscured in test systems that have sufficient receptor reserve (e.g., the striatum). Such differences in intrinsic efficacy may be an important predictor of the clinical utility of D1 agonists.