Research summary
A 1998 review describes the five G-protein-coupled dopamine receptor subtypes: D1 and D5 couple to Gs and activate adenylyl cyclase, while D2, D3 and D4 inhibit adenylyl cyclase and activate K+ channels; D1 and D5 genes are intronless (with D5 pseudogenes), D2 and D3 vary by alternative splicing across tissues and species, and the human D4 gene shows extensive polymorphism [1]. Stimulation of beta2 adrenergic receptors was shown to assemble a protein complex containing activated c-Src and the receptor through beta-arrestin, which acts as an adapter binding both c-Src and the agonist-occupied receptor; beta-arrestin 1 mutants impaired in c-Src binding or in receptor targeting to clathrin-coated pits act as dominant-negative inhibitors of receptor-mediated activation [2]. A 1990 review establishes that rapid beta-adrenergic-receptor desensitization does not require internalization but instead reflects uncoupling from Gs through phosphorylation by PKA and the beta-adrenergic-receptor kinase (beta ARK) [3]. Cloning of beta-arrestin (418 amino acids, homologous to retinal arrestin) showed that it inhibits the signalling function of beta ARK-phosphorylated beta-adrenergic receptors by more than 75% but not that of rhodopsin, with beta-arrestin proposed to act in concert with beta ARK in homologous receptor desensitization [4]. Functional deletion of beta-arrestin 2 in mice potentiated and prolonged the analgesic effect of morphine, indicating impaired mu-opioid-receptor desensitization and providing in vivo evidence for beta-arrestin's role in GPCR regulation [5]. Overexpression of beta-arrestins in HEK cells rescued the sequestration of beta2-adrenergic receptor mutants defective in internalization, an effect enhanced by simultaneous beta ARK1 overexpression and inhibited by beta-arrestin mutants, supporting beta-arrestin's role in agonist-promoted GPCR internalization [6].
Recent publications
- Dopamine Receptors: From Structure to FunctionDOI
- 尾-Arrestin-Dependent Formation of 尾 2 Adrenergic Receptor-Src Protein Kinase ComplexesDOI
- Cloning of the gene and cDNA for mammalian 尾-adrenergic receptor and homology with rhodopsinDOI
- Turning off the signal: desensitization of 尾鈥恆drenergic receptor functionDOI
- 尾-Arrestin: a Protein that Regulates 尾-adrenergic Receptor FunctionDOI
- Mice with Reduced NMDA Receptor Expression Display Behaviors Related to SchizophreniaDOI
- Enhanced Morphine Analgesia in Mice Lacking 尾-Arrestin 2DOI
- An Akt/尾-Arrestin 2/PP2A Signaling Complex Mediates Dopaminergic Neurotransmission and BehaviorDOI
- Role of 尾-Arrestin in Mediating Agonist-Promoted G Protein-Coupled Receptor InternalizationDOI
- Plasma membrane monoamine transporters: structure, regulation and functionDOI
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Email Marc G. Caron 6-12 months before your application deadline. Read several recent papers and reference specific work in your message. Use our how to email a Japanese professor guide for the proven email structure.
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External profiles
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0172-2710
- OpenAlex: openalex.org
Profile compiled from public sources (Researchmap, OpenAlex, Tohoku University faculty directory). Last refreshed 2026-05. Report incorrect information.