The regulation of SKF38393 on the signaling pathway of dopamine D1 receptor in hippocampus during chronic sleep deprivation

Abstract Background Hippocampal functions are sensitive to sleep deficiency. Dopamine D 1 receptor (D 1 R) in hippocampus can regulate the expression of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) through PKA, MAPK and phosphoinositide pathway, but which pathway plays the major role in hippocampus during Chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) is unclear. Methods The CSD model was created, SKF rats were administered the D 1 R agonist (SKF38363), and hippocampus from each animal was dissected for following molecular detection. The gene and protein levels of CREB and key molecules in D 1 R pathways were measured by real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Results Both the gene and protein expression of CREB in hippocampus decreased by CSD and improved significantly by SKF38393 ( p   0.05). Both the gene and protein expression of PKA in hippocampus decreased by CSD and improved significantly by SKF38393 ( p   0.05). SKF38393 just significantly improved the gene level of CaMK IV and the protein level of p -CaMK IV ( p p -ERK1/2. Discussion CSD significantly decreased the expression of CREB in hippocampus. As the key molecules, PKA and CaMK IV play an important role during the improvement of hippocampus by the activation of D 1 R, and this process might be improved during CSD through the PKA and phosphoinositide pathway.