Objective Receptor desensitization is at the origin nf the progressive reduction of efficacy of some drug treatment. Adrenergic (beta2 and alpha2), muscarinic cholinergic, serotonergic (5-HT4) and many other G-protein coupled receptors (GR) are rapidly desensitized when stimulated by an agonist. G-protein coupled receptor kinases (GRK) and beta-arrestins are two families of proteins that are responsible for this process. Despite a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involving GRK/beta-arrestins little attention has been paid to the functional roles of these latter proteins. The aim of our project is to investigates in some rat brain regions, the adaptative changes in GRK/beta-arrestins expression (mRNA and proteins) and activity followlng repeated antidepressant treatment (noradrenergic and serotonergic uptake inhibitor) or specific neural lesion (with 5,7-DHT or DSP-4 neurotoxins). In situ hybridization; Northern blot, rhodopsin phosphorylation assay and quantitative autoradiogaphy shall be used. GRK/,beta-arrestins-induced desensitization could become a new pharmacological targets. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins Programme(s) FP4-TMR - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of the training and mobility of researchers, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 0302 - Post-doctoral research training grants TL11 - Neurosciences (inc. Psychology) Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships) Coordinator Consorzio Mario Negri Sud - Centro diRicerche Farmacologiche e Biomediche EU contribution No data Address Via Nazionale 66030 Chieti - San Maria Imbaro Italy See on map Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Not available France EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data