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A cocaine-sensitive active dopamine transport in human lymphocytes
B A Faraj1, Z L Olkowski, R T Jackson
1Department of Radiology (Division of Nuclear Medicine), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Biochemical Pharmacology
|September 28, 1995
Summary
Human lymphocytes have a dopamine transporter sensitive to cocaine. Dopamine uptake in lymphocytes may be linked to chronic cocaine abuse.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lymphocytes express dopamine transporters.
- Dopamine transport systems are crucial in neurological functions.
- Cocaine's mechanism of action involves dopamine reuptake inhibition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the dopamine transporter in human lymphocytes.
- To investigate the kinetic properties of dopamine uptake.
- To explore the potential link between lymphocyte dopamine uptake and cocaine abuse.
Main Methods:
- Utilized radiolabeled dopamine ([3H]dopamine) for uptake studies.
- Assessed dopamine uptake under varying substrate concentrations and conditions (temperature, ions).
- Examined the effects of cocaine and related compounds on dopamine uptake.
Main Results:
- Identified a high-affinity, cocaine-sensitive dopamine transport system in human lymphocytes.
- Dopamine uptake exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics and was dependent on temperature, sodium, and chloride.
- Cocaine and its congeners significantly inhibited dopamine uptake in a concentration-dependent manner.
- Preliminary data suggest a potential inverse correlation between lymphocyte dopamine uptake and chronic cocaine abuse.
Conclusions:
- Human lymphocytes possess a functional, cocaine-sensitive dopamine transporter.
- Lymphocyte dopamine uptake characteristics are consistent with neuronal dopamine transporters.
- Lymphocyte [3H]dopamine uptake may serve as a potential biomarker for chronic cocaine abuse.