Downregulation of the cAMP/PKA pathway in PC12 cells overexpressing NCS-1

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2011 Jan;31(1):135-43. doi: 10.1007/s10571-010-9562-4. Epub 2010 Sep 14.

Abstract

It is well known that dopamine imbalances are associated with many psychiatric disorders and that the dopaminergic receptor D₂ is the main target of antipsychotics. Recently it was shown that levels of two proteins implicated in dopaminergic signaling, Neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) and DARPP-32, are altered in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of both schizophrenic and bipolar disorder patients. NCS-1, which inhibits D₂ internalization, is upregulated in the PFC of both patients. DARPP-32, which is a downstream effector of dopamine signaling, integrates the pathways of several neurotransmitters and is downregulated in the PFC of both patients. Here, we used PC12 cells stably overexpressing NCS-1 (PC12-NCS-1 cells) to address the function of this protein in DARPP-32 signaling pathway in vitro. PC12-NCS-1 cells displayed downregulation of the cAMP/PKA pathway, with decreased levels of cAMP and phosphorylation of CREB at Ser133. We also observed decreased levels of total and phosphorylated DARPP-32 at Thr34. However, these cells did not show alterations in the levels of D₂ and phosphorylation of DARPP-32 at Thr75. These results indicate that NCS-1 modulates PKA/cAMP signaling pathway. Identification of the cellular mechanisms linking NCS-1 and DARPP-32 may help in the understanding the signaling machinery with potential to be turned into targets for the treatment of schizophrenia and other debilitating psychiatric disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism*
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32 / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Down-Regulation / physiology
  • Neuronal Calcium-Sensor Proteins / genetics*
  • Neuronal Calcium-Sensor Proteins / metabolism
  • Neuronal Calcium-Sensor Proteins / physiology
  • Neuropeptides / genetics*
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism
  • Neuropeptides / physiology
  • PC12 Cells
  • Phosphorylation
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Transfection
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32
  • Neuronal Calcium-Sensor Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • Ppp1r1b protein, rat
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • frequenin calcium sensor proteins
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases