PSD-95 uncouples dopamine-glutamate interaction in the D 1/PSD-95/NMDA receptor complex

Abstract

Classical dopaminergic signaling paradigms and emerging studies on direct physical interactions between the D 1 dopamine (DA) receptor and the NMDA glutamate receptor predict a reciprocally facilitating, positive feedback loop. This loop, if not controlled, may cause concomitant overactivation of both D 1 and NMDA receptors, triggering neurotoxicity. Endogenous protective mechanisms must exist. Here, we report that PSD-95, a prototypical structural and signaling scaffold in the postsynaptic density, inhibits D 1-NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NR1) NMDA receptor association and uncouples NMDA receptor-dependent enhancement of D 1 signaling. This uncoupling is achieved, at least in part, via a disinhibition mechanism by which PSD-95 abolishes NMDA receptor-dependent inhibition of D 1 internalization. Knockdown of PSD-95 immobilizes D 1 receptors on the cell surface and escalates NMDA receptor-dependent D 1 cAMP signaling in neurons. Thus, in addition to its role in receptor stabilization and synaptic plasticity, PSD-95 acts as a brake on the D 1-NMDA receptor complex and dampens the interaction between them. Copyright © 2009 Society for Neuroscience.