Faces of DARPP-32: Master Signaling Mediator in the Brain?

(Author: Stephen Jones | Article Views: 20 | Word Count: 443 | Published: Dec 30th 2007)

Get Html Code Download PDF Print View Subscribe to this Author

As a major target for dopamine-activated adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A in the striatum, DARPP-32 plays a central role in regulating the efficacy of dopaminergic neurotransmission and can act either as a phosphatase or kinase inhibitor in a contextually dependent manner. Growing evidence points to DARPP-32 as a key mediator/modulator in numerous signal transduction cascades implicated in a growing number of neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and depression, as well as in drug abuse and addiction. For example, it has been shown that acute exposure of mice to cocaine increases phosphorylation of DARPP-32 at Thr34 with a concommitment decrease in phosphorylation at Thr75, whereas chronic exposure leads to a reversal of this phospho profile. It has also been observed that many schizophrenic patients show decreased levels of DARPP-32 in the prefrontal cortex.

While the precise role that DARPP-32 plays in these psychiatric disorders is still being elucidated, the existing body of literature clearly portrays DARPP-32 as playing a central role in multiple signaling pathways. Further research will determine neuronal subpopulations where phosphorylation of DARPP-32 occurs as well as the functional importance of previously identified phospho sites of DARPP-32.

IMGENEX offers over one-thousand Neuroscience-related antibodies such as recently cited anti-DARPP-32 (pan and phosphospecific), Dopamine D1 and D2 Receptors (IHC validated), 5-HT Receptors (such as 5-HT1B), Adenosine Receptor, NMDA and more!

As a major target for dopamine-activated adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A in the striatum, DARPP-32 plays a central role in regulating the efficacy of dopaminergic neurotransmission and can act either as a phosphatase or kinase inhibitor in a contextually dependent manner. Growing evidence points to DARPP-32 as a key mediator/modulator in numerous signal transduction cascades implicated in a growing number of neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and depression, as well as in drug abuse and addiction. For example, it has been shown that acute exposure of mice to cocaine increases phosphorylation of DARPP-32 at Thr34 with a concommitment decrease in phosphorylation at Thr75, whereas chronic exposure leads to a reversal of this phospho profile. It has also been observed that many schizophrenic patients show decreased levels of DARPP-32 in the prefrontal cortex.

While the precise role that DARPP-32 plays in these psychiatric disorders is still being elucidated, the existing body of literature clearly portrays DARPP-32 as playing a central role in multiple signaling pathways. Further research will determine neuronal subpopulations where phosphorylation of DARPP-32 occurs as well as the functional importance of previously identified phospho sites of DARPP-32.

IMGENEX offers over one-thousand Neuroscience-related antibodies such as recently cited anti-DARPP-32 (pan and phosphospecific), Dopamine D1 and D2 Receptors (IHC validated), 5-HT Receptors (such as 5-HT1B), Adenosine Receptor, NMDA and more!

About the Author

IMGENEX India Pvt Ltd. the only biotech company in Orissa and one of its kinds in Eastern India. IMGENEX India started in Oct as an outsourcing branch of IMGENEX Corporation, San Diego, USA. Find out more information about DARPP-32.

Source: http://WhoisArticleDirectory.com

Staff: Edit This Article

1: If Diagnosed with Mesothelioma Call a Doctor and Lawyer

2: Diagnosed with Mesothelioma? What this Means

3: Diagnosed with Mesothelioma? Call a Lawyer for Help

4: Can Eggplant Cure Skin Cancer?

5: Hot New Skin Cancer Breakthrough

6: Could Kennedy’s Tumor Have Been Caught 5 Years Ago?

7: Ovarian Cancer Prevention – 2008 Is Not Too Late

8: NF-kB Activation: Elucidating Upstream Events

9: Data Validation through Tissue Analysis

10: Are we "Livin" or just "Survivin"?

Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote

Comments

No comments posted.

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.