Dopamine receptors: from structure to behavior

The responses obtained with drugs that act at dopamine receptors depend on the spectrum of receptors stimulated, the pattern of stimulation and the ne uronal signal-transduction pathways that ave activated. In the absence of d rugs that reliably discriminate between the various cloned receptors, eluci dating the role of these receptors has largely relied on molecular genetic approaches that include expression of genes for receptors in cell lines and manipulation of this expression in animal models. Connecting molecular eve nts that occur consequent to receptor stimulation with the resulting physio logical effects entails bridging a complex network of interactions. This: a rticle reviews the current understanding of the molecular cellular and syst emic consequences of activation of the different dopamine receptors.