title: Unilateral deficits induced in rats by MPP+ are markedly reduced by an N-terminal peptide fragment of dopamine-releasing protein.
abstract: Dopamine-releasing protein (DARP) is a novel factor involved in the function and development of catecholaminergic systems. To test whether a peptide synthesized from the N-terminus of DARP (DARP-36aa) ameliorates deficits in nigrostriatal dopamine, rats were unilaterally lesioned with MPP+, 1 day before administration of DARP-36aa began. Striatal delivery of 1 microgram DARPP-36aa daily for 10 days elevated striatal dopamine (P < 0.01) and reduced amphetamine-induced rotations (P < 0.05) relative to controls, both indicating the protection or restoration of dopaminergic function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Phelps
authors.forename: V D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Ramirez
mesh_terms: D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C058043:dopamine-releasing factor, rat; D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D004298:Dopamine