General structural features of G-protein-coupled receptors

1 General structural features of G-protein-coupled receptors 

Upon release from dopaminergic neurons, dopamine exerts its action by interacting with specific dopamine receptors. With molecular biological techniques five subtypes of dopamine receptors have been identified so far. These receptors have been characterised anatomically, and to a certain extent biochemically and pharmacologically. All currently identified dopamine receptor subtypes belong to the superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). 

The binding site for the endogenous ligand (the active site ) is believed to be situated within the core formed by the seven transmembrane domains.7 Binding of the endogenous 

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