Dopamine receptor

A dopamine receptor is a cell-surface protein that binds dopamine and alters cellular activity. Its five major subtypes belong to two families that usually regulate signaling in opposite ways.

D1-like receptor: A family of dopamine receptors comprising D1 and D5 subtypes, generally coupled to stimulatory G proteins. D1-like receptors commonly increase cyclic AMP signaling after dopamine binds.
Dopamine: A catecholamine neurotransmitter and hormone involved in movement, motivation, learning, and other functions. It is the endogenous ligand that activates dopamine receptors.
Antipsychotic: A medication used primarily to treat psychosis and related symptoms. Many antipsychotics reduce signaling by blocking D2-like receptors.
Dopamine D1 receptor: A dopamine receptor subtype that typically couples to stimulatory Gs/olf proteins. Its signaling often contrasts with the inhibitory coupling of D2-like receptors.
D2-like receptor: A family comprising D2, D3, and D4 dopamine receptors, generally coupled to inhibitory G proteins. D2-like receptors commonly reduce cyclic AMP signaling and include presynaptic autoreceptors.
Chemical synapse: A junction where one cell communicates with another by releasing chemical messengers. Dopamine released at synapses can bind receptors on the sending or receiving cell.
Dopamine agonist: A substance that activates dopamine receptors or enhances their signaling. Agonists can stimulate receptor subtypes directly in treatments such as Parkinson disease.
Dopamine D3 receptor: A D2-like dopamine receptor subtype expressed prominently in limbic brain regions. Its distribution and pharmacology differ from the widely studied D2 subtype.
G protein-coupled receptor: A large receptor family that transmits extracellular signals through intracellular G proteins. All five canonical dopamine receptor subtypes signal through this receptor superfamily.
Neurotransmitter: A chemical messenger released by a neuron that alters the activity of target cells. Dopamine is one neurotransmitter whose effects depend on receptor subtype and location.

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