Molecular Characteristics of Mammalian Dopamine Receptors

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Abstract
Dopamine receptors belong to a large super‐gene family of receptors which are linked to their signal transduction pathways through heterotrimeric G proteins. A variety of signalling events are known to be regulated by dopamine receptors including adenylate cyclase and phospholipase activities and various ion channels. Prior to the advent of molecular cloning technology, dopamine receptors were believed to belong to two subtypes, D1and D2. This distinction was based on both pharmacological and functional criteria. We now know that at least five different dopamine receptors exist although they can still be described as to belonging within “D1” and “D2” subfamilies. The D1subfamily consists of two receptors—the D1and D5, whereas the D2, D3and D4receptors comprise the D2subfamily. The cloning and molecular characteristics of these five receptors are described in this review.