Apomorphine increases vesicular monoamine transporter-2 function: implications for neurodegeneration.

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Truong JG, Hanson GR, Fleckenstein AE

Apomorphine increases vesicular monoamine transporter-2 function: implications for neurodegeneration.

Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 May 25;492(2-3):143-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.03.060.

PubMed ID

15178358 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Apomorphine is a nonselective dopamine D1/D2 receptor agonist used in Europe to treat symptoms resulting from the dopaminergic degeneration associated with Parkinson's disease. In addition, neuroprotective effects of this agent in rodent models have been reported. Recent studies indicate that treatments that alter vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2) function may be protective in models of dopaminergic degeneration. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of apomorphine on VMAT-2 function. Results revealed that apomorphine rapidly and reversibly increased vesicular dopamine uptake, as determined in purified striatal vesicles obtained from treated rats. This increase occurred in both postnatal day 40 and postnatal day 90 rats, and was associated with a redistribution of VMAT-2 protein within nerve terminals. This effect of apomorphine on vesicular dopamine uptake was blocked by pretreating with eticlopride, a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist. The implications of these findings relevant to the treatment of neurodegeneration are discussed.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Transporters

Drug	Transporter	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Apomorphine	Synaptic vesicular amine transporter	Protein	Humans	Unknown	Inducer	Details