The effects of scoparone on dopamine release in PC12 cells were investigated. Scoparone at 50-200 microM increased dopamine release into the culture medium. However, the released levels of dopamine by scoparone were not altered in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+) and by adenylyl cyclase inhibitor MDL-12,330A. Scoparone increased phosphorylation of PKA, CaMK II and synapsin I. Scoparone also enhanced K(+)-induced levels of dopamine release by CaMK II phosphorylation. These results suggest that scoparone increases dopamine release by synapsin I phosphorylation via activation of PKA and CaMK II, which are mediated by cyclic AMP levels and Ca(2+) influx.
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