Expression of central nervous system receptors for dopamine was examined by injection of poly(A)+ RNA (mRNA) from rat striatum into oocytes from Xenopus laevis. Electrophysiological measurements in mRNA-injected oocytes indicated that addition of 100 microM dopamine induced an inward current (40-100 nA) that was consistent with the activation of endogenous Ca2(+)-dependent Cl- channels. This current was also elicited by addition of the selective D1 agonist SKF 38393 but not by the selective D2 agonist quinpirole. Prior addition of the dopaminergic antagonist cis-piflutixol completely abolished dopamine-induced currents but had no effect on currents produced by serotonin. Using 45Ca2+ efflux assays, addition of 100 microM dopamine to injected oocytes stimulated efflux 2- to 3-fold. This increase was mimicked by SKF 38393 and was blocked by the D1-selective antagonist (+)SCH 23390 but not by the D2-selective antagonist domperidone. No increase in 45Ca2+ efflux was seen with 100 microM quinpirole. Size fractionation of striatal mRNA yielded a single peak (2.5-3.0 kilobases) of D1 receptor-mediated 45Ca2+ efflux activity in injected oocytes. In addition, dopamine stimulation of oocytes injected with peak fractions and prelabeled with myo-[3H]inositol caused a 3-fold increase in [3H]inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate [( 3H]InsP3) formation. No effect on [3H]InsP3 production or 45Ca2+ efflux was observed, however, in injected oocytes incubated with 1 mM N6,O2'-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. Thus, in addition to D1 receptors that stimulate adenylyl cyclase, rat striatum contains D1 receptors that can couple to InsP3 formation and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+.

Mahan, L. C., Burch, R. M., Monsma, F. J., & Sibley, D. R. (1990). Expression of striatal D1 dopamine receptors coupled to inositol phosphate production and Ca2+ mobilization in Xenopus oocytes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 87(6), 2196–2200.