Studying with the Dopaminergic System Transfected Receptors

Dopamine receptors are responsible for diverse effects within and outside the central nervous system. The five dopamine receptors that have been cloned (DIA, D1B also known as D5, D2, D3, and D4) belong to two major families; the D1 like and D2 like dopamine receptors. The D1 like receptors are linked to the stimulation while D2 like receptors are linked to the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. The physiologic role of the dopamine receptors has been difficult to decipher because several of the subtypes co-exist in the same tissue. However, studies of receptors artificially expressed using transfected cDNA have revealed some of the biochemical mechanisms unique to each dopamine receptor subtype. (Hypertens Res 1995;18 Suppl. I: S19-S22)