scholarly journals Heterodimeric D1-D2 dopamine receptors: a review

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.L. Vekshina ◽  
P.K. Anokhin ◽  
A.G. Veretinskaya ◽  
I.Yu. Shamakina

This review summarizes modern data on the structure and functions ofheteromersformed by D1 and D2 dopamine receptors focusing on their role in the mechanisms of drug dependence. This article discusses potential functional significance of heterodimeric D1-D2 dopamine receptorsdue to their localization in the brain as well as unique pharmacological propertiesversus constituent monomers. It is shown that heteromerization results in dramatic changes in activated signaling pathways compare to the corresponding monomers. These studies update our current knowledge of ligand-receptor interactions and provide better understanding of dopamine receptors pharmacology. Furthermore elucidation of significance of heterodimeric D1-D2 dopamine receptors as drug targets is important for the development of new effective drug addiction treatment.

Author(s):  
ULI HACKSELL ◽  
ANETTE M. JOHANSSON ◽  
ANDERS KARLÉN ◽  
KRISTINA LUTHMAN ◽  
CHARLOTTA MELLIN

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (42) ◽  
pp. 4510-4522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biancamaria Longoni ◽  
Irene Fasciani ◽  
Shivakumar Kolachalam ◽  
Ilaria Pietrantoni ◽  
Francesco Marampon ◽  
...  

: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles produced by eukaryotic cells that are also found in most biological fluids and tissues. While they were initially thought to act as compartments for removal of cellular debris, they are now recognized as important tools for cell-to-cell communication and for the transfer of pathogens between the cells. They have attracted particular interest in neurodegenerative diseases for their potential role in transferring prion-like proteins between neurons, and in Parkinson’s disease (PD), they have been shown to spread oligomers of α-synuclein in the brain accelerating the progression of this pathology. A potential neuroprotective role of exosomes has also been equally proposed in PD as they could limit the toxicity of α-synuclein by clearing them out of the cells. Exosomes have also attracted considerable attention for use as drug vehicles. Being nonimmunogenic in nature, they provide an unprecedented opportunity to enhance the delivery of incorporated drugs to target cells. In this review, we discuss current knowledge about the potential neurotoxic and neuroprotective role of exosomes and their potential application as drug delivery systems in PD.


Author(s):  
Nidhi Tiwari ◽  
Jyoti Upadhyay ◽  
Mohd Nazam Ansari ◽  
Syed Shadab Raza ◽  
Wasim Ahmad ◽  
...  

: Vascular dementia (VaD) occurs due to cerebrovascular insufficiency, which leads to decreased blood circulation to the brain, thereby resulting in mental disabilities. The main causes of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) are severe hypoperfusion, stroke, hypertension, large vessel disease (cortical), small vessel disease (subcortical VaD), strategic infarct, hemorrhage (microbleed), cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA),which leads to decreased cerebrovascular perfusion. Many metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia are also related to VaD. The rodent experimental models provide a better prospective for the investigation of the molecular mechanism of new drugs. A plethora of experimental models are available that mimic the pathological conditions and lead to VaD. This review article updates the current knowledge on the basis of VaD, risk factors, pathophysiology, mechanism, advantages, limitations, and the modification of various available rodent experimental models.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 682
Author(s):  
Matthias Christen ◽  
Nils Janzen ◽  
Anne Fraser ◽  
Adrian C. Sewell ◽  
Vidhya Jagannathan ◽  
...  

A 7-month-old, spayed female, domestic longhair cat with L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L-2-HGA) was investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical signs, metabolic changes and underlying genetic defect. The owner of the cat reported a 4-month history of multiple paroxysmal seizure-like episodes, characterized by running around the house, often in circles, with abnormal behavior, bumping into obstacles, salivating and often urinating. The episodes were followed by a period of disorientation and inappetence. Neurological examination revealed an absent bilateral menace response. Routine blood work revealed mild microcytic anemia but biochemistry, ammonia, lactate and pre- and post-prandial bile acids were unremarkable. MRI of the brain identified multifocal, bilaterally symmetrical and T2-weighted hyperintensities within the prosencephalon, mesencephalon and metencephalon, primarily affecting the grey matter. Urinary organic acids identified highly increased levels of L-2-hydroxyglutaric acid. The cat was treated with the anticonvulsants levetiracetam and phenobarbitone and has been seizure-free for 16 months. We sequenced the genome of the affected cat and compared the data to 48 control genomes. L2HGDH, coding for L-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase, was investigated as the top functional candidate gene. This search revealed a single private protein-changing variant in the affected cat. The identified homozygous variant, XM_023255678.1:c.1301A>G, is predicted to result in an amino acid change in the L2HGDH protein, XP_023111446.1:p.His434Arg. The available clinical and biochemical data together with current knowledge about L2HGDH variants and their functional impact in humans and dogs allow us to classify the p.His434Arg variant as a causative variant for the observed neurological signs in this cat.


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