REGULATION OF SIGNALING PATHWAYS TO THE NUCLEUS BY DOPAMINERGIC RECEPTORS

Dopamine regulates postsynaptic gene expression in the central nervous system. The pattern of gene expression is different from chronic vs a cute stimulation of dopaminergic receptors. Signalling to the nucleus through dopamine receptors involves different second messenger systems , and each receptor subtype regulates multiple effecters. Long term ad aptive changes in neuronal function following administration of dopami nergic drugs such as antipsychotic agent or drugs of abuse is one such example of molecular plasticity triggered by dopaminergic receptors. Role of dopaminergic receptors in the control of transcriptional event s and immediate early gene regulation are reviewed.