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Evidence for the existence of dopamine d2-oxytocin receptor heteromers in the ventral and dorsal striatum with facilitatory receptor–receptor interactions

Molecular Psychiatry volume 18, pages 849–850 (2013)Cite this article

The pioneering work of the Insel group has demonstrated a key role of oxytocin neurons and their striatal oxytocin receptors (OTR) in producing pair bonding in the monogamous prairie vole female,1, 2 with the oxytocin neurons likely communicating mainly via volume transmission.3, 4 The prairie vole, but not the polygamous montane vole, displays a high density of OTR in the nucleus accumbens (Acb) and the dorsal striatum. The oxytocin neurons appear to be also the key regulators of social and emotional behaviours in mice, rats, sheep and in humans, including love, bonding and trust.5, 6, 7 Research has indicated a therapeutic role of oxytocin in patients with autism spectrum disorders.8

Ascending dopamine neurons are also needed for social attachment in female prairie voles and partner preference is blocked by a dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) but not a D1R antagonist.2 Microinjection of a D2R agonist into the Acb can cause partner preference in the absence of mating, a finding blocked by either a D2R or an OTR antagonist. These results indicate that coactivation of D2R and OTR in the Acb is of importance for pair bond formation and maintenance.1, 2, 9, 10 In the current study, we have tested the hypothesis that the molecular mechanism for these interactions is to a great extent due to dopamine D2 receptor–oxytocin receptors (D2R–OTR) heteromers in the striatum possessing facilitatory receptor–receptor interactions.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council (04X-715), Hjärnfonden, Telethon TV3's La Marató Foundation 2009 and M.M. Wallenberg Foundation to KF, Karolinska Institutets Forskningsstiftelser 2010 and 2011 to DOB-E. and KF.

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  1. Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    W Romero-Fernandez, D O Borroto-Escuela & K Fuxe

  2. IRCCS Lido, Venice, Italy

    L F Agnati

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  1. W Romero-Fernandez
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  2. D O Borroto-Escuela
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  3. L F Agnati
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  4. K Fuxe
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Correspondence to K Fuxe.

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Romero-Fernandez, W., Borroto-Escuela, D., Agnati, L. et al. Evidence for the existence of dopamine d2-oxytocin receptor heteromers in the ventral and dorsal striatum with facilitatory receptor–receptor interactions. Mol Psychiatry 18, 849–850 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2012.103

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