Cooperative activation of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors enhances a hyperpolarization-activated inward current in layer I interneurons

Layer I of the neocortex comprises axonal processes from widespread regions of the brain and a unique population of GABAergic interneurons. Dopamine is known to directly depolarize layer I interneurons, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Using whole-cell recording techniques in neocortical brain slices, we have examined how dopamine increases excitability of layer I interneurons in postnatal day 7-11 rats. Dopamine (30 mu M) caused a 10 mV depolarization of layer I neurons. Paradoxically, neither the D-1-like receptor agonist 6-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine hydrobromide (SKF81297) (1 - 10 mu M) nor the D-2-like agonist quinpirole (10 mu M) produced a significant depolarization. Depolarization was observed when SKF81297 and quinpirole were coapplied. When G-protein beta gamma subunits were included in the recording pipette, D-1 but not D-2 agonists depolarized layer I neurons. Bath application of 4-ethylphenylamino- 1,2-dimethyl-6-methylaminopyrimidinium chloride, a specific blocker of inwardly rectifying hyperpolarization-activated current (I-h) channels, hyperpolarized the neurons and occluded the action of dopamine. Voltage-clamp analysis demonstrated that dopamine increased the amplitude and shifted the voltage dependence of activation of Ih. These results indicate that Ih contributes to the resting potential of layer I interneurons and is subject to modulation by dopamine.