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Cellular prion protein is present in dopaminergic neurons and modulates the dopaminergic system
Author(s) -
Rial Daniel,
Pamplona Fabrício A.,
Moreira Eduardo L. G.,
Moreira Karin M.,
Hipolide Débora,
Rodrigues Diana I.,
Dombrowski Patrícia A.,
Da Cunha Claudio,
Agostinho Paula,
Takahashi Reinaldo N.,
Walz Roger,
Cunha Rodrigo A.,
Prediger Rui D.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/ejn.12600
Subject(s) - dopaminergic , dopamine , neuroscience , neurochemical , striatum , dopaminergic pathways , biology
Abstract Cellular prion protein ( P rP C ) is widely expressed in the brain. Although the precise role of P rP C remains uncertain, it has been proposed to be a pivotal modulator of neuroplasticity events by regulating the glutamatergic and serotonergic systems. Here we report the existence of neurochemical and functional interactions between P rP C and the dopaminergic system. P rP C was found to co‐localize with dopaminergic neurons and in dopaminergic synapses in the striatum. Furthermore, the genetic deletion of P rP C down‐regulated dopamine D 1 receptors and DARPP ‐32 density in the striatum and decreased dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex of mice. This indicates that P rP C affects the homeostasis of the dopaminergic system by interfering differently in different brain areas with dopamine synthesis, content, receptor density and signaling pathways. This interaction between P rP C and the dopaminergic system prompts the hypotheses that the dopaminergic system may be implicated in some pathological features of prion‐related diseases and, conversely, that P rP C may play a role in dopamine‐associated brain disorders.