Vol. 49, Issue 3, 231-252, September 1997

The D₃ Dopamine Receptor: Neurobiology and Potential Clinical Relevance

Beth Levant^a

Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas

I. Introduction
II. Molecular Biology
    A. Receptor Taxonomy
    B. Gene Organization and Receptor Synthesis
    C. Receptor Isoforms
    D. Protein Structure
III. Cellular Signaling Mechanisms
    A. Signal Transduction in Expression Systems
    B. Coupling in Brain
IV. Pharmacology
    A. Radioligand Binding Studies
    B. Functional Assays
V. Localization of D₃ Receptors in Brain
    A. Distribution of D₃ Receptor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid
        1. Distribution in rat brain.
        2. Distribution in human brain.
    B. Distribution of Putative D₃ Receptors
        1. Distribution in rat brain.
        2. Distribution in human brain.
    C. Implications of Regional Distribution
VI. D₃ Receptors in Cellular and Organismal Function
    A. Role in Behavior
    B. Role in Neuronal Activity
    C. Role in Neurochemistry
    D. Role in Development
VII. Regulation of D₃ Receptor Density and Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression
    A. Modulation by Tonic Dopaminergic Activity
    B. Modulation by Antidopaminergic Drugs
VIII. D₃ Receptors and Disease
    A. Genetic Linkage to Disease
    B. Receptor Alterations in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
IX. Conclusion
References