Dopamine in the striatum plays a crucial role in reward processes and action selection. Dopamine signals are transduced by D1 and D2 dopamine receptors which trigger mirror effects through the cAMP/PKA signalling cascade in D1 and D2 medium-sized spiny neurones (MSNs). Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which determine the profile of cAMP signals, are highly expressed in MSNs, but their respective roles in dopamine signal integration remain poorly understood. We used genetically-encoded FRET biosensors to monitor at the single cell level the functional contribution of PDE2A, PDE4 and PDE10A in the changes of the cAMP/PKA response to transient and continuous dopamine in mouse striatal brain slices. We found that PDE2A, PDE4 and PDE10A operate on the moderate to high cAMP levels elicited by D1 or A2A receptor stimulation. In contrast, only PDE10A is able to reduce cAMP down to baseline in both type of neurones, leading to the dephosphorylation of PKA substrates. PDE10A is therefore critically required for dopamine signal integration in both D1 and D2 MSNs.

Background and Purpose: Dopamine in the striatum plays a crucial role in reward processes and action selection. Dopamine signals are transduced by D 1 and D 2 dopamine receptors which trigger mirror effects through the cAMP/PKA signalling cascade in D 1 and D 2 medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs). Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which determine the profile of cAMP signals, are highly expressed in MSNs, but their respective roles in dopamine signal integration remain poorly understood. Experimental Approach: We used genetically encoded FRET biosensors to monitor at the single cell level the functional contribution of PDE2A, PDE4 and PDE10A in the changes of the cAMP/PKA response to transient and continuous dopamine in mouse striatal brain slices.

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