Caltech scientists engineer supersensitive receptor, gain better understanding of dopam... (ying the genetically modified receptors:...)

Navigation Links

Biology News Medicine News Biology Products Medicine Products Biology Definition Medicine Definition Biology Technology Medicine Technology Biology Dictionary Medicine Dictionary

HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS

Caltech scientists engineer supersensitive receptor, gain better understanding of dopamine system

Date:10/14/2008

ying the genetically modified receptors: because dopamine plays an important role in movement, the mice became quickly and significantly hyperactive. In fact, the researchers note, low doses of nicotine affect mice with these hypersensitive receptors in much the same way that amphetamines affect "normal" mice. Looking more closely at this phenomenon, the researchers write, "could be useful in understanding the causes of human hyperactivity such as that observed in ADHD."

"This technique also gives researchers the power to activate dopamine neurons selectively," says Lester. "We plan to exploit this opportunity to obtain new knowledge about dopamine neurons' functions."

While these sensitized receptors appear on dopamine neurons throughout the brain, the researchers note that they seem to play an especially critical role in what is called the mesolimbic pathway--one of four pathways that control dopamine production throughout the brain, and the one implicated in the addictive properties of drugs like nicotine.

To this end, Lester's team and their collaborators have already begun to explore the possibilities of targeting these receptors with specific drugs that might work to reduce their sensitivity to nicotine, potentially providing a new line of attack for treating nicotine addiction. In fact, notes Drenan, these same drugs might also one day prove useful in treating other dopamine-related conditions, such as ADHD, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia.

"By uncovering the biological role of these receptors, especially with regard to their role in the midbrain dopamine system, we show that they are excellent drug targets," says Drenan.

'/>"/>

Contact: Lori Oliwenstein
lorio@caltech.edu
626-395-3631
California Institute of Technology
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Caltech biologists spy on the secret inner life of a cell
2. Caltech scientists create DNA tubes with programmable sizes for nanoscale manufacturing
3. Caltech researchers awarded $10M for molecular programming project
4. Caltech engineers build mini drug-producing biofactories in yeast
5. Caltech neurobiologists discover individuals who hear movement
6. Caltech scientists awarded $20 million to Power the Planet
7. Caltech researchers find dual-use sexual attraction and population-control chemicals in nematodes
8. UNC, Caltech research finds further evidence for genetic contribution to autism
9. Extreme nature helps scientists design nano materials
10. Forsyth scientists trigger cancer-like response from embryonic stem cells
11. Scientists trace molecular origin of proportional development

Post Your Comments:

Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Climate projections underestimate CO2 impact 2 UCLA researchers engineer bacteria to turn carbon dioxide into liquid fuel 2 Effect of real time CPR feedback reported at resuscitation science symposium 61854 1 Effect of real time CPR feedback reported at resuscitation science symposium 61854 2 Effect of real time CPR feedback reported at resuscitation science symposium 61854 3 Its a gas 3A New discovery may lead to heartier high yielding plants 10847 1 Its a gas 3A New discovery may lead to heartier high yielding plants 10847 2 Blue Sky Scrubs Secures a Second Texas Manufacturer 61853 1 Blue Sky Scrubs Secures a Second Texas Manufacturer 61853 2

[0] Lehigh University professor receives Astellas Award for arsenic groundwater remediation efforts [0] Climate projections underestimate CO2 impact [0] UCLA researchers engineer bacteria to turn carbon dioxide into liquid fuel

Other Biology News:Amniotic fluid may provide new source of stem cells for future therapies 2 Amniotic fluid may provide new source of stem cells for future therapies 3 Potential new HIV drug may help patients not responding to treatment 2 Potential new HIV drug may help patients not responding to treatment 3 Bad mix of bacterial remnants and genetics leads to arthritis 2

Amniotic fluid may provide new source of stem cells for future therapies Potential new HIV drug may help patients not responding to treatment Bad mix of bacterial remnants and genetics leads to arthritis

Breaking Biology Technology:Technology, Biotech, Energy and Transportation Among the Industries to be Featured at Sidoti & Company's First Annual 2010 Micro Cap Conference 2 China Biologic Products to Ring NASDAQ Opening Bell 2 China Biologic Products to Ring NASDAQ Opening Bell 3 Martek Signs Sole-Source Supply Agreement with Fonterra 2 Martek Signs Sole-Source Supply Agreement with Fonterra 3 Hertz Annual Appeal for Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center At UCLA Passes $2-Million Mark in Funds Raised Over Ten Years 2 Hertz Annual Appeal for Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center At UCLA Passes $2-Million Mark in Funds Raised Over Ten Years 3

[0] Technology, Biotech, Energy and Transportation Among the Industries to be Featured at Sidoti & Company's First Annual 2010 Micro Cap Conference [0] China Biologic Products to Ring NASDAQ Opening Bell [0] Martek Signs Sole-Source Supply Agreement with Fonterra [0] Hertz Annual Appeal for Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center At UCLA Passes $2-Million Mark in Funds Raised Over Ten Years

14th Annual Wharton Health Care Business Conference to Feature CEOs from WebMD, McKesson, Humana and Given Imaging Northwest Biotherapeutics Secures $700,000 Equity Financing Beckman Coulter Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Results; Earnings Outlook Achieved on Strong Fundamentals

Biology Products:

Human Chemokine Antibody Array 1.1 (8) Kit, RayBio from Raybiotech, Inc.Multidrug Resistance Fluorometric (Calcein AM) Assay Kit, Vybrant® from Molecular Probes (Invitrogen)Contact Printing Kit with Stamp from Platypus Technologies Canine IL-4 ELISpot Development Kit from R&D Systems

Caltech scientists engineer supersensitive receptor, gain better understanding of dopam...(ying the genetically modified receptors:...)