A cDNA CLONE ENCODING AN EXPRESSIBLE DOPAMINE TRANSPORTER

摘要

A cloned cDNA encoding an expressible and functional dopamine transporter is disclosed. Also disclosed is a ca. 700-base pair portion of the dopamine transporter cDNA which is adaptable for use as a dopamine-transporter-specific probe of polynucleotides from various animal cells. Non-neural cells transfected with the cloned cDNA acquire dopamine uptake ability. The uptake by such transfected cells was inhibitable by various uptake-inhibiting drugs. The drugs exhibited a relative dopamine-uptake inhibition that was in accord with the relative effects of such drugs on dopaminergic neurons, thereby confirming that the cDNA encodes a functional dopamine transporter protein. The cDNA clone makes possible well-controlled studies of dopamine transport in cellular systems. The 700 base-pair portion is particularly suitable for high-stringency screening of cells and tissues from a variety of animal species for dopamine transporter-specific polynucleotides.