GnRH-associated peptide (GAP) is present in the rat striatum and affects the synthesis and release of dopamine

A possible interference of the GnRH-associated peptide (GAP) with the metabolism of dopamine in the rat striatum was investigated. The presence of the precursor of the peptide in this central region of dopaminergic terminals was first evidenced using specific RIA. The action of GAP on dopamine release was investigated in the caudate nucleus using the local superfusion with a push-pull cannula supplied with an artificial CSF containing the tritiated precursor of dopamine [( 3H]tyrosine). Addition of GAP (1 microM) to the superfusing fluid resulted in an increase of the release of the newly synthesized dopamine without a significant modification of the total amine release. In situ neutralization of GAP by addition in the CSF of a rabbit serum containing antibodies directed against the GAP produced opposite effects evidencing a tonic function for this peptide. In addition to the increased specific activity of the dopamine released during GAP treatment, the alterations observed in the efflux (and the specific activity) of dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid and the activation of dopamine synthesis obtained in vitro in striatal slices in the presence of GAP led us to conclude that the GAP system could be considered as a positive control of dopamine synthesis.