A mutation in CLOCK leads to altered dopamine receptor function

Sade Spencer, Melissa I. Torres-Altoro, Edgardo Falcon, Rachel Arey, Marian Marvin, Matthew Goldberg, James A. Bibb, Colleen A. McClung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mice with a mutation in the Clock gene (ClockΔ19) have a number of behavioral phenotypes that suggest alterations in dopaminergic transmission. These include hyperactivity, increased exploratory behavior, and increased reward value for drugs of abuse. However, the complex changes in dopaminergic transmission that underlie the behavioral abnormalities in these mice remain unclear. Here we find that a loss of CLOCK function increases dopamine release and turnover in striatum as indicated by increased levels of metabolites HVA and DOPAC, and enhances sensitivity to dopamine receptor antagonists. Interestingly, this enlarged dopaminergic tone results in downstream changes in dopamine receptor (DR) levels with a surprising augmentation of both D1- and D2-type DR protein, but a significant shift in the ratio of D1: D2 receptors in favor of D2 receptor signaling. These effects have functional consequences for both behavior and intracellular signaling, with alterations in locomotor responses to both D1-type and D2-type specific agonists and a blunted response to cAMP activation in the ClockΔ19 mutants. Taken together, these studies further elucidate the abnormalities in dopaminergic transmission that underlie mood, activity, and addictive behaviors. Journal of Neurochemistry

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)124-134
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Neurochemistry
Volume123
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • circadian
  • dopamine
  • locomotion
  • pharmacology
  • protein
  • receptors

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