Objective To detect the expression level of dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) protein in glioma tissues and adjacent tissues, and to investigate the effects of DRD1 agonist SKF38393 and its inhibitor SCH23390 on U87 cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and the effect of DRD1 on cAMP pathway. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression and distribution of DRD1 protein in 60 glioma tissues and their adjacent tissues. Western blot analysis was used to detect the level of DRD1 protein. U87 cells were cultured in vitro. CCK-8 assay was performed to detect the proliferation of U87 cells treated with DRD1 agonist or inhibitor. Cell invasion was tested by TranswellTM assay, and cell migration was assessed by wound healing test. Western blot analysis was used to detect the cAMP pathway and its related proteins p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p44/42MAPK), phosphorylated p44/42 MAPK (p-p44/42MAPK) and protein kinase A (PKA). Results The expression level of DRD1 in 60 glioma tissues were significantly higher as compared with the adjacent tissues. SCH23390 obviously inhibited the proliferation of U87 cells and SKF38393 significantly promoted it. The invasion and migration of U87 cells were inhibited by SCH23390 and enhanced by SKF38393. The expression levels of p44/42MAPK, p-p44/42MAPK and PKA proteins were activated by SCH23390 and inhibited by SKF38393. Conclusion DRD1 protein is highly expressed in glioma tissues. The proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were enhanced by DRD1-mediated cAMP pathway in U87 cells.