Thus, in order to further investigate the possible interrelations between NCS-1 and DARPP-32 pathways we used PCI 2 cells of wild type (WT) and a lineage (clone 2) selleck stably overexpressing NCS-1. Our data showed that the amount of DARPP-32 in c2 cells was at, least 3 times smaller than in the WT PC12 cells, which was in agreement with the above described results obtained from prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients

(Souza Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical et al, unpublished data). PAR-4 and calmodulin Prostate apoptosis response 4 (PAR-4) is a leucine zipper containing protein that, plays a role in apoptosis. Recently, it was reported that PAR-4 binds to the third intracellular loop of the D2 receptor.19 The PAR-4 binding site to D2 is in the same region where calmodulin (CaM)binds to the receptor. In increased Ca2+ concentrations, calmodulin competes with PAR-4, decreasing its binding. CaM is a small acidic protein that functions as a primary decoder Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of Ca2+ information in the cell. CaM acts as a switch when the Ca2+ concentration rises from resting.20 CaM regulates several enzymes that are of interest, for synaptic plasticity including adcnylyl cyclases, protein kinases and Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical phosphatases, nitric oxide synthase, and Ca2+ channels.21 Among them is calcineurin, also known as PP2B. Calmodulin is also a modulator of G protein

signaling-4 (RGS4), a protein codified by a gene that was shown to have modest, but significant association between polymorphisms and haplotypes in RGS4 and schizophrenia22-25 ; however, there have also

been negative reports.26,27 Using microarray technology Mimics et al28 found a decrease Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical in RGS4 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients. The RGS4 gene is located at. chromosome lq23.3 within a known susceptibility locus for schizophrenia.29 During the resting state RGS binds to phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5trisphosphate (PIP3) inhibiting its action. During depolarization, Ca2+ enters the cells and binds to CaM, forming Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical a complex that, is able to recover RGS function by removing PIP3 inhibition.30-34 It was found that there was a reciprocal control of RGS4 by PIP3 and CaM, and that CaM and PIP3 share the same binding site intcrcating competitively to controls RGS4 function.35 Knockout mice for RGS4 did not present a decrease in prepulse inhibition (PPI) or any other behavioral alteration except for a subtle and complex sensorimotor deficit.36 others Gene expression changes of RGS4 were observed with specific dopamine receptor agents, such as an increase in RGS4 by D2 receptor stimulation or by D1 receptor blockade.37,38 It was found that, spinophilin also binds to RGS4.39 Using yeast two hybrid assays, Jeanneteau et al40,41 identified an interaction between G alpha-interacting protein (GAIP-interacting protein), C terminus (GIPC) and D2, and D3, but not, with D4.