Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Comprehensive Profiling of Dopamine Regulation in Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area
Published on: August 10, 2012
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor controls dopamine D3 receptor expression: implications for neurodevelopmental
Pierre Sokoloff1, Olivier Guillin, Jorge Diaz
1Unite de Neurobiologie et Pharmacologie Moleculaire, INSERM U 573, Centre Paul Broca, 2ter rue d' Alesia, 75014 Paris, France.
Abstract:
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) belongs to a family of proteins related to nerve growth factor, which are responsible for neuron proliferation, survival and differentiation. A more diverse role for BDNF as a neuronal extracellular transmitter has, nevertheless, been proposed. The dopamine D(3) receptor has been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, drug addiction, depression and Parkinson's disease. Its expression during development and in adulthood is highly dependent on dopaminergic innervation. Here we show that BDNF synthesized by dopamine neurons is responsible for the appearance of the D(3) receptor during development and maintains D(3) receptor expression in adults. Moreover, BDNF triggers D(3) receptor overexpression and behavioral sensitization to levodopa in denervated animals. These results suggest that BDNF, by controlling the expression of specific genes such as the D(3) receptor gene, may be an important factor in neurodevelopmental psychiatric diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Enzyme-linked Receptors
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Neural Regulation
Neurotransmitters
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Gut-Brain Axis

