Genetic polymorphisms at the rat and murine loci coding for dopamine D2-like receptors.

Southern blot hybridization techniques have been used to identify genetic polymorphisms at the D2, D3 and D4 dopamine receptor loci in mice and rats. Genomic DNA from a panel of outbred and inbred strains of rats and inbred strains of mice was digested with a variety of restriction endonucleases. After separation of the restriction digests on the basis of size using agarose gel electrophoresis, 32P-labeled DNA probes coding for the rat D2, D3 and D4 dopamine receptors were used to identify a series of genetic polymorphisms at each of these receptor loci. Genetic polymorphisms were found for the rat and murine D2, D3 and D4 dopamine receptor loci. It is anticipated that these genetic polymorphisms will be useful in pharmacogenetic studies to determine the influence of the D2-like receptors in reward and addictive behaviors.