title: Bidirectional dopaminergic modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission in orexin neurons.
abstract: Orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH)/perifornical area (PFA) are known to promote food intake as well as provide excitatory influence on the dopaminergic reward pathway. Dopamine (DA), in turn, inhibits the reward pathway and food intake through its action in the LH/PFA. However, the cellular mechanism by which DA modulates orexin neurons remains largely unknown. Therefore, we examined the effect of DA on the excitatory neurotransmission to orexin neurons. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed using acute rat hypothalamic slices, and orexin neurons were identified by their electrophysiological and immunohistochemical characteristics. Pharmacologically isolated action potential-independent miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) were monitored. Bath application of DA induced a bidirectional effect on the excitatory synaptic transmission dose dependently. A low dose of DA (1 microM) increased mEPSC frequency, which was blocked by the D1-like receptor antagonist SCH 23390, and mimicked by the D1-like receptor agonist SKF 81297. In contrast, higher doses of DA (10-100 microM) decreased mEPSC frequency, which could be blocked with the D2-like receptor antagonist, sulpiride. Quinpirole, the D2-like receptor agonist, also reduced mEPSC frequency. None of these compounds affected the mEPSCs amplitude, suggesting the locus of action was presynaptic. Furthermore, DA (1 microM) induced an increase in the action potential firing, whereas DA (100 microM) hyperpolarized and ceased the firing of orexin neurons, indicating the effect of DA on excitatory synaptic transmission may influence the activity of the postsynaptic cell. In conclusion, our results suggest that D1- and D2-like receptors have opposing effects on the excitatory presynaptic terminals impinging onto orexin neurons.
authors.affiliation: Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada A1B 3V6.
authors.forename: Christian O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Alberto
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Trask
authors.forename: Michelle E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Quinlan
authors.forename: Michiru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirasawa
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects*; D025461:Feedback, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000503:physiopathology; D007026:Hypothalamic Area, Lateral / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D000068797:Orexins; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D019257:Quinpirole / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012201:Reward; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D000068797:Orexins; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D019257:Quinpirole; C067113:SK&F 81297; D004298:Dopamine