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Published on: December 19, 2018
Receptor density influences ligand-induced dopamine D2L receptor homodimerization
Mattia Ferraiolo1, Hicham Atik1, Romane Ponthot1
1Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Dopamine D2 receptor density influences receptor homodimerization. Higher densities promote constitutive homodimerization and enhance antagonist disruption, adding complexity to dopaminergic pharmacology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chronic dopamine D2 receptor ligand treatment alters receptor density.
- Dopamine D2 receptors are known to form homodimers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of dopamine D2 receptor density on receptor homodimerization.
- To determine how receptor density affects constitutive and ligand-induced homodimerization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a nanoluciferase-based complementation assay.
- Employed a cellular model with tetracycline-controlled dopamine D2L receptor expression.
Main Results:
- Increased dopamine D2L receptor density promoted constitutive homodimerization.
- Full agonists enhanced homodimerization; antagonists and partial agonists disrupted it.
- High receptor densities amplified the inhibitory effect of antagonists.
Conclusions:
- Receptor density and ligand type both modulate dopamine D2L receptor homodimerization.
- The relationship between density, ligands, and homodimerization is complex and not strictly correlated with ligand intrinsic activity.
- Findings reveal new insights into dopaminergic system complexity.
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