Dopamine receptor

The Dopamine receptor (pronounced: doh-puh-meen ree-sep-tor) is a class of G protein-coupled receptors that are prominent in the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS).

Etymology

The term "Dopamine" is derived from its chemical name: 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine, and the "receptor" is a term used in biochemistry to refer to a protein molecule that receives signals from outside a cell.

Function

Dopamine receptors are responsible for many functions, including the regulation of motivation, pleasure, and fine motor movement, as well as modulation of neuroendocrine signaling. Abnormal dopamine receptor signaling and dopaminergic nerve function is implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders.

Types

There are five subtypes of dopamine receptors, D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5. The D1 and D5 receptors are members of the D1-like family of dopamine receptors, whereas the D2, D3 and D4 receptors are members of the D2-like family.

D1-like family

The D1-like family receptors are coupled to the G protein Gsα, and they increase the intracellular levels of cAMP upon activation.

D2-like family

The D2-like family receptors are coupled to the G protein Giα, and they decrease the intracellular levels of cAMP upon activation.

Related terms

Dopamine: A type of neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that transmits signals in the brain and other areas of the body.
Neurotransmitter: Chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse.
G protein-coupled receptor: A large protein family of receptors that sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal transduction pathways.
cAMP: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate, a second messenger important in many biological processes.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Dopamine receptor
Wikipedia's article - Dopamine receptor

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Dopamine receptor