Regulation of dopaminergic pathways by retinoids: Activation of the D2 receptor promoter by members of the retinoic acid receptor–retinoid X receptor family

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.94.26.14349
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:40:52Z
• Authors: Tarek A. Samad; Wojciech Krezel; Pierre Chambon; Emiliana Borrelli
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Base Sequence; Receptors, Dopamine D2; Receptors, Retinoic Acid; Dopamine; Molecular Sequence Data; Cell Line; Rats; Mice; Retinoids; 03 medical and health sciences; Retinoid X Receptors; Gene Expression Regulation; Pituitary Gland; Animals; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors

Dopamine is a neuromodulator involved in the control of key physiological functions. Dopamine-dependent signal transduction activated through interaction with membrane receptors seven-transmembrane domain G protein-coupled family. Among them, dopamine D2 receptor highly expressed striatum and pituitary gland as well by mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Lack mice leads to locomotor parkinsonian-like phenotype tumors. The promoter has characteristics housekeeping gene. However, restricted expression this gene particular neurons cells points strict regulation its cell-specific transcription factors. We demonstrate here that contains functional retinoic acid response element. Furthermore, analysis receptor-null supports our finding shows these animals reduced. This assigns retinoids an important role central nervous system.