Dopamine receptor gene transfer into rat striatum using a recombinant adenoviral vector: rotational behaviour

To study the role of dopamine (DA) receptor expression on dopamine-mediated rotational behaviour, adenovirus expressing the lacZ reporter gene (AdCMVL acZ) or D2R expressing adenoviral vector (AdRSVD2) viruses, mediating expre ssion of beta-galactosidase and DAD2 receptors, respectively, were microinj ected stereotactically into Sprague-Dawley rat striatum. Apomorphine stimul ated rotational behaviour was measured in rats unilaterally injected with e ither AdCMVLacZ or AdRSVD2. No significant difference in rotational directi on was observed until day 14 post-injection, when animals showed a tendency to rotate away from the injected side. Our data indicate that unilateral c hanges in receptor density mediated by a non-cell type selective adenoviral vector results in minor changes in rotational behavior. This suggests that supersensitivity in dopamine receptor signaling, rather than receptor leve ls per se, are the major factor in determining rotational response with dop amine agonist stimulation in unilateral striatal dopamine depleted animals. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.