Is DARPP-32 a potential therapeutic target?
Signaling pathways play important roles in the coordination and integration of a myriad cellular functions. Because of widespread interest in the dopaminergic pathways, the protein dopamine and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-regulated phosphoprotein with molecular weight of 32 kDa, known by the acronym DARPP-32, occupies a central role in the biology of dopaminoceptive neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Its involvement has been demonstrated in many neural phenomena, including physiologic and pathologic neuroplasticity to drug effects and cognition. However, DARPP-32 has also been identified in non-neuronal tissues and its level of expression has been associated with the malignant level of some types of cancer, via modulation of cell survival and differentiation. This review considers some of these apparently compartmentalized functions of DARPP-32 and its potential as a therapeutic target.
Reis
Helton J
HJ
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Farmacologia, Av Antonio Carlos, 6627 - Belo Horizonte-MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
Rosa
Daniela V F
DV
Guimarães
Melissa M
MM
Souza
Bruno R
BR
Barros
Alexandre G A
AG
Pimenta
Flávio J
FJ
Souza
Renan P
RP
Torres
Karen C L
KC
Romano-Silva
Marco A
MA
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051937:Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D051937:Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32; C497928:PPP1R1B protein, human