Altered expression of regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) mRNAs in the striatum of rats undergoing dopamine depletion.

Quantitative in situ hybridization was used to investigate the effect of prolonged striatal dopamine or monoamine depletion on the mRNA density of regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) 2-12 proteins. Two types of treatments were studied: a 6-hydroxydopamine-induced unilateral lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway and a 5-day reserpine treatment. The results clearly show a selective increase in the mRNA levels of RGS2, 5 and 8 and a decrease in RGS4 and 9 mRNA levels following nigrostriatal denervation.

Opposite modulation of regulators of G protein signalling-2 RGS2 and RGS4 expression by dopamine receptors in the rat striatum.

The role of dopaminergic transmission on striatal mRNA levels of regulators of G protein signalling proteins RGS 2-12 was evaluated by quantitative in situ hybridisation. A single injection of L-dopa (50 mg/kg i.p.

Dopamine receptors and schizophrenia: contribution of molecular genetics and clinical neuropsychology.

Family, twin and adoption studies suggest that genetic factors play an important role in the aetiology of schizophrenia. The mode of inheritance, however, is complex and non-Mendelian. Although the aetiology of schizophrenia is unknown, it has been hypothesized that the necessary conditions for developing the disease are environmental stress and a vulnerability to psychosis.