Dopamine and the phosphorylated dopamine transporter are increased in the diacylglycerol kinase η‐knockout mouse brain

The molecular mechanisms generating the mania-like abnormal behaviors caused by diacylglycerol (DG) kinase (DGK) η deficiency remain unclear. Here, we found that DGKη knockout markedly increased dopamine (DA) levels in midbrain (DA-producing region, 2.8-fold) and cerebral cortex (DA projection 1.2-fold). Moreover, significantly augmented phosphorylated DA transporter (DAT) (1.4-fold increase), which induce efflux to synaptic cleft, cortex. phosphorylation of protein C-β, is activated DG involved DAT phosphorylation, were also increased. expressed Neuro-2a cells recruited plasma membrane colocalized with it. These results strongly suggest dopaminergic hyperfunction brain leads behaviors.