Hyperdopaminergic modulation of inhibitory transmission is dependent on GSK-3β signaling-mediated trafficking of GABAA receptors.

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 308320. Abstract Cortical dopamine (DA) modulation of the gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) system is closely associated with cognitive function and psychiatric disorders. We recently reported that the glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3 beta) pathway is required for hyperdopamine/D2 receptor-mediated inhibition of NMDA receptors in the prefrontal cortex. Here we explore whether or not GSK-3 beta is also involved in dopaminergic modulation of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory transmission. We confirmed that DA induces a dose-dependent, bidirectional regulatory effect on inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in prefrontal neurons. The modulatory effects of DA were differentially affected by co-application of GSK-3 beta inhibitors and different doses of DA. GSK-3 beta inhibitors completely blocked high-dose (20 mu M) DA-induced depressive effects on IPSCs but exhibited limited effects on the facilitating regulation of IPSC in low-dose DA (200 nM). We also confirmed that surface expressions of GABAA receptor beta 2/3 subunits were significantly decreased by DA applied in cultured prefrontal neurons and in vivo administration of DA reuptake inhibitor. These effects were blocked by prior administration of GSK-3 beta inhibitors. We explored DA-mediated regulation of GABAA receptor trafficking and exhibited the participation of brefeldin A-inhibited GDP/GTP exchange factor 2 (BIG2) or dynamin-dependent trafficking of GABAA receptors. Together, these data suggest that DA may act through different signaling pathways to affect synaptic inhibition, depending on the concentration. The GSK-3 beta signaling pathway is involved in DA-induced decrease in BIG2-dependent insertion and an increase in the dynamin-dependent internalization of GABAA receptors, which results in suppression of inhibitory synaptic transmission.