GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS AT THE RAT AND MURINE LOCI CODING FOR DOPAMINE D2-LIKE RECEPTORS

Southern blot hybridization techniques have been used to identify gene tic polymorphisms at the D2, D3 and D4 dopamine receptor loci in mice and rats. Genomic DNA from a panel of outbred and inbred strains of ra ts and inbred strains of mice was digested with a variety of restricti on endonucleases. After separation of the restriction digests on the b asis of size using agarose gel electrophoresis, P-32-labeled DNA probe s coding for the rat D2, D3 and D4 dopamine receptors were used to ide ntify a series of genetic polymorphisms at each of these receptor loci . Genetic polymorphisms were found for the rat and murine D2, D3 and D 4 dopamine receptor loci. It is anticipated that these genetic polymor phisms will be useful in pharmacogenetic studies to determine the infl uence of the D2-like receptors in reward and addictive behaviors.