Adenosine modulates the dopaminergic function in the nigro-striatal system by interacting with striatal dopamine dependent adenylate cyclase.

Behavioral and pharmacological evidences suggest that dopaminergic mechanisms in striatum might be counteracted by adenosine or potentiated by its pharmacological antagonists methylxanthines. To test whether adenosine modulation of the dopaminergic function could be, at least in part, due to an interaction at the level of the adenylate cyclase complex, we studied the effects of the adenosine analog R-Phenyl-isopropil-adenosine (R-PIA) on basal and dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in rat striatum. R-PIA, which interacts with both adenosine A1-inhibitory and A2-stimulatory receptors, dose-dependently inhibited the stimulation induced by dopamine, and seemed to utilize the same pool of enzyme linked to dopaminergic D1 receptors. Two experimental approaches leading to supersensitivity of striatal dopaminergic receptors, (i.e., 6-hydroxy-dopamine injection in substantia nigra and reserpine administration) also induced upregulation of adenosine-dependent adenylate cyclase in striatum, and altered R-PIA modulation of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Conversely, after subchronic treatment with neuroleptics such as haloperidol or sulpiride, upregulation of 3H-Spiroperidol binding in striatum was not associated with changes of R-PIA dependent adenylate cyclase in this area. It is concluded that adenosine might modulate post-synaptic responses to dopamine via adenosine receptors which functionally interact with dopaminergic D1 receptors in striatum.