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Striatal medium-sized spiny neurons express mRNA and protein of GPR55 receptors that stimulate neurotransmitter release; thus, GPR55 could be sent to nigral striatal projections, where it might modulate GABA release and motor behavior. Here, we study the presence of GPR55 receptors at striato-nigral terminals, their modulation of GABA release, their signaling pathway, and their effect on motor activity. By double immunohistochemistry, we found the colocation of GPR55 protein and substance P in the dorsal striatum. In slices of the rat substantia nigra, the GPR55 agonists LPI and O-1602 stimulated [ 3 H]-GABA release induced by high K + depolarization in a dose-dependent manner. The antagonists CID16020046 and cannabidiol prevented agonist stimulation in a dose-dependent way. The effect of GPR55 on nigral [ 3 H]-GABA release was prevented by lesion of the striatum with kainic acid, which was accompanied by a decrement of GPR55 protein in nigral synaptosomes, indicating the presynaptic location of receptors. The depletion of internal Ca 2+ stores with thapsigargin did not prevent the effect of LPI on [ 3 H]-GABA release, but the remotion or chelation of external calcium did. Blockade of Gi, Gs, PLC, PKC, or dopamine D1 receptor signaling proteins did not prevent the effect of GPR55 on release. However, the activation of GPR55 stimulated [ 3 H]-cAMP accumulation and PKA activity. Intranigral unilateral injection of LPI induces contralateral turning. This turning was prevented by CID16020046, cannabidiol, and bicuculline but not by SCH 23390. Our data indicate that presynaptic GPR55 receptors stimulate [ 3 H]-GABA release at striato-nigral terminals through [ 3 H]-cAMP production and stimulate motor behavior., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

In vivo activation of dopamine D3 receptors (D3Rs) depresses motor activity. D3Rs are widely expressed in subthalamic, striatal, and dendritic dopaminergic inputs into the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). In vitro studies showed that nigral D3Rs modulate their neurotransmitter release; thus, it could be that these changes in neurotransmitter levels modify the discharge of nigro-thalamic neurons and, therefore, motor behavior. To determine how the in vitro responses correspond to the in vivo responses, we examined the effect of intra-nigral and systemic blockade of D3Rs in the interstitial content of glutamate, dopamine, and GABA within the SNr using microdialysis coupled to motor activity determinations in freely moving rats. Intranigral unilateral blockade of D3R with GR 103,691 increased glutamate, dopamine, and GABA. Increments correlated with increased ambulatory distance, non-ambulatory activity, and induced contralateral turning. Concomitant blockade of D3R with D1R by perfusion of SCH 23390 reduced the increase of glutamate; prevented the increment of GABA, but not of dopamine; and abolished behavioral effects. Glutamate stimulates dopamine release by NMDA receptors, while blockade with kynurenic acid prevented the increase in dopamine and, in turn, of GABA and glutamate. Finally, systemic administration of D3R selective antagonist U 99194A increased glutamate, dopamine, and GABA in SNr and stimulated motor activity. Blockade of intra-nigral D1R with SCH 23390 prior to systemic U 99194A diminished increases in neurotransmitter levels and locomotor activity. These data highlight the pivotal role of presynaptic nigral D3 and D1R in the control of motor activity and help to explain part of the effects of the in vivo administration of D3R agents.

Substantia nigra pars reticulata is the output station in basal ganglia; its GABAergic neurons control the activity of thalamo-cortical premotor nuclei, thus controlling motor behavior. D1-like and D2-like presynaptic dopamine receptors on subthalamo-nigral afferents by modulation of glutamate release change the firing rate of nigral neurons; however, their relative contribution to the control of glutamate release and their pharmacological properties have not been studied. This is important since the prevalence of the inhibition or stimulation of release determines the firing rate of nigral neurons, therefore motor activity. Here we used depolarization induced [ 3 H]-glutamate release in slices of rat substantia nigra from reserpinized and non-reserpinized rats to explore the relative contribution of the D1-like and D2-like receptor subtypes to the control of glutamate release. We found a significant control of release by D1-like and D3R, and a modest effect of D2R. D4R exerted no effect. Dopamine showed more potency for D3R than for D1-like receptors; however, these latter enhanced release to a greater degree, as shown by the E max . We also co-activated these to test their interaction; an antagonist interaction of D1-like with D2 and D3R, and an additive between D2 and D3R were found. Pharmacological receptor antagonist effects in release from reserpinized vs. non-reserpinized slices were similar, suggesting that endogenous dopamine stimulates receptors in the same way. These findings suggest differences in the control of glutamate release by different dopamine receptors in the substantia nigra, which could contribute to explaining the effect of dopamine and its agonists on motor behavior., (Copyright © 2019 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Striatal dopamine D2 receptors activate the PLC → IP3 → Calcineurin-signaling pathway to modulate the neural excitability of En+ Medium-sized Spiny GABAergic neurons (MSN) through the regulation of L-type Ca 2+ channels. Presynaptic dopaminergic D2 receptors modulate GABA release at striatopallidal terminals through L-type Ca 2+ channels as well, but their signaling pathway is still undetermined. Since D2 receptors are Gi/o-coupled and negatively modulate adenylyl cyclase (AC), we investigated whether presynaptic D2 receptors modulate GABA release through the same signaling cascade that controls excitability in the striatum or by the inhibition of AC and decreased PKA activity. Activation of D2 receptors stimulated formation of [ 3 H]IP 1 and decreased Forskolin-stimulated [ 3 H]cAMP accumulation in synaptosomes from rat Globus Pallidus. D2 receptor activation with Quinpirole in the presence of L 745,870 decreased, in a dose-dependent manner, K + -induced [ 3 H]GABA release in pallidal slices. The effect was prevented by the pharmacological blockade of Gi/o βγ subunit effects with Gallein, PLC with U 73122, IP3 receptor activation with 4-APB, Calcineurin with FK506. In addition, when release was stimulated with Forskolin to activate AC, D2 receptors also decreased K + -induced [ 3 H]GABA release, an effect occluded with the effect of the blockade of PKA with H89 or stimulation of release with the cAMP analog 8-Br-cAMP. These data indicate that D2 receptors modulate [ 3 H]GABA release at striatopallidal terminals by activating the PLC → IP3 → Calcineurin-signaling cascade, the same one that modulates excitability in soma. Additionally, D2 receptors inhibit release when AC is active. Both mechanisms appear to converge to regulate the activity of presynaptic L-type Ca 2+ channels., (Copyright © 2018 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)