D2 Receptor
Dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) provides negative-feedback control of dopamine neuron firing, dopamine synthesis, reuptake, and release, making it a core regulator of dopaminergic transmission[1]. Mechanistically, D2R signaling connects Gi activation, β-arrestin recruitment, receptor trafficking, and striatal A2A-D2R-AC5 complexes that integrate adenosine and dopamine signals in striatopallidal neurons[2][3][4]. In disease models, altered D2R signaling appears in schizophrenia-related assays, DYT1 dystonia, Huntington’s disease models, Parkinson’s disease research, and substance-use-disorder biology[1][2][5][6][7]. Compared with related isoforms, D2R-short, but not D2R-long, couples to the RhoA/ROCK/cofilin pathway and contributes to striatal vulnerability to expanded huntingtin[6]. This isoform distinction is experimentally important because D2R-short also supports dopamine- and TGFβ1-mediated growth inhibition in pituitary lactotropes[8]. For research applications, D2R agonists such as quinpirole, bromocriptine, ropinirole-related ligands, and radiolabeled MCL-536 help define receptor activity, D2high states, and disease-linked signaling responses[7][9][10]. D2R antagonists including haloperidol and clozapine show concentration-dependent dopamine antagonism, while haloperidol displays stronger β-arrestin-2 inhibition than Gi antagonism under specific assay conditions[2].
References:
- [1]. Chen R, et al. Dopamine D2 autoreceptor interactome: Targeting the receptor complex as a strategy for treatment of substance use disorder. Pharmacol Ther. 2020 Sep;213:107583. [Content Brief]
- [2]. Silva RR, et al. Evaluation of Functional Selectivity of Haloperidol, Clozapine, and LASSBio-579, an Experimental Compound With Antipsychotic-Like Actions in Rodents, at G Protein and Arrestin Signaling Downstream of the Dopamine D2 Receptor. Front Pharmacol. 2019 Jun 4;10:628. [Content Brief]
- [3]. Tirotta E, et al. Signaling by dopamine regulates D2 receptors trafficking at the membrane. Cell Cycle. 2008 Jul 15;7(14):2241-8. [Content Brief]
- [4]. Ferré S, et al. Essential Control of the Function of the Striatopallidal Neuron by Pre-coupled Complexes of Adenosine A2A -Dopamine D2 Receptor Heterotetramers and Adenylyl Cyclase. Front Pharmacol. 2018 Apr 9;9:243. [Content Brief]
- [5]. Scarduzio M, et al. Strength of cholinergic tone dictates the polarity of dopamine D2 receptor modulation of striatal cholinergic interneuron excitability in DYT1 dystonia. Exp Neurol. 2017 Sep;295:162-175. [Content Brief]
- [6]. Galan-Rodriguez B, et al. Coupling of D2R Short but not D2R Long receptor isoform to the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway renders striatal neurons vulnerable to mutant huntingtin. Eur J Neurosci. 2017 Jan;45(1):198-206. [Content Brief]
- [7]. Subburaju S, et al. The High Affinity Dopamine D2 Receptor Agonist MCL-536: A New Tool for Studying Dopaminergic Contribution to Neurological Disorders. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2021 Apr 21;12(8):1428-1437. [Content Brief]
- [8]. Sarkar DK, et al. Dopamine, dopamine D2 receptor short isoform, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, and TGF-beta type II receptor interact to inhibit the growth of pituitary lactotropes. Endocrinology. 2005 Oct;146(10):4179-88. [Content Brief]
- [9]. Subburaju S, et al. New Dopamine D2 Receptor Agonist, [3H]MCL-536, for Detecting Dopamine D2high Receptors in Vivo. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2018 Jun 20;9(6):1283-1289. [Content Brief]
- [10]. Mickevicius NJ. Locally Linearized Approximation of RF Pulse Propagators for Faster Simulation of Magnetization Dynamics With Slice Profile Effects in 2D MR Fingerprinting. Magn Reson Med. 2026 Jun 8. doi: 10.1002/mrm.70462. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42260330. et al. Locally Linearized Approximation of RF Pulse Propagators for Faster Simulation of Magnetization Dynamics With Slice Profile Effects in 2D MR Fingerprinting. Magn Reson Med. 2026 Jun 8. [Content Brief]
-
D2 Receptor Related Products (297)
Related Products (297)
-
Ecopipam hydrochloride
0 ImagesSynonyms: SCH 39166 hydrochlorideEcopipam (SCH 39166) hydrochloride is a potent, selective and orally active antagonist of dopamine D1/D5 receptor, with Kis of 1.2 nM and 2.0 nM, respectively. Ecopipam hydrochloride shows more than 40-flod selectivity over D2, D4, 5-HT, and α2a receptor (Ki=0.98, 5.52, 0.08, and 0.73 μM, respectively). Ecopipam hydrochloride can be used for the research of schizophrenia and obesity.
-
Pridopidine
0 ImagesSynonyms: ACR16; ASP2314; FR310826Pridopidine, a dopamine (DA) stabilizer, acts as a low affinity dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) antagonist. Pridopidine exerts high affinity towards sigma 1 receptor (S1R) with Ki between 70 and 80 nM, which is ~100× higher than its affinity toward D2R.
-
Flunarizine
0 ImagesFlunarizine is a potent dual Na+/Ca2+ channel (T-type) blocker. Flunarizine is a D2 dopamine receptor antagonist. Flunarizine shows anticonvulsive and antimigraine activity, and peripheral vasodilator effects.
-
Flupentixol dihydrochloride
0 ImagesFlupentixol is an orally active D1/D2 dopamine receptor antagonist and new PI3K inhibitor (PI3Kα IC50=127 nM). Flupentixol shows anti-proliferative activity to cancer cells and induces apoptosis. Flupentixol can also be used in schizophrenia, anxiolytic and depressive research.
-
Loxapine
0 ImagesLoxapine is an orally active dopamine inhibitor, 5-HT receptor antagonist and also a dibenzoxazepine anti-psychotic agent.
-
L-745870
0 ImagesL-745870 is a potent, selective, brain-penetrant and orally active dopamine D4 receptor antagonist with a Ki of 0.43 nM. L-745870 shows weaker affinity for D2 (Ki of 960 nM) and D3 (Ki of 2300 nM) receptors, and exhibits moderate affinity for 5-HT2 receptors, sigma sites and α-adrenoceptors.
-
Bromperidol
0 ImagesSynonyms: R-11333Bromperidol (R-11333) possesses antipsychotic activity, with a high affinity for central dopamine receptors D2. Bromperidol can kill Mycobacteria in a synergistic manner with Spectinomycin.
-
Promazine hydrochloride
0 ImagesSynonyms: Romtiazin hydrochloride; Ampazine hydrochloride; Berophen hydrochloridePromazine (Romtiazin) hydrochloride is an antipsychotic and a dopamine receptor D2 antagonist. Promazine hydrochloride inhibits dopaminergic neurotransmission.
-
Iloperidone
0 ImagesSynonyms: HP 873Iloperidone (HP 873) is a D2/5-HT2 receptor antagonist. Iloperidone is an atypical antipsychotic for the schizophrenia symptoms.
-
UNC9994 hydrochloride
0 ImagesUNC9994 hydrochloride is a functionally selective, β-arrestin–biased dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) agonist that selectively activates β-arrestin recruitment and signaling. UNC9994 hydrochloride shows a binding affinity with a Ki of 79 nM for D2R. UNC9994 hydrochloride is also an antagonist of Gi-regulated cAMP production and partial agonist for D2R/β-arrestin-2 interactions. UNC9994 hydrochloride shows antipsychotic-like activity.
-
Thiethylperazine
0 ImagesThiethylperazine, a phenothiazine derivate, is an orally active and potent dopamine D2-receptor and histamine H1-receptor antagonist. Thiethylperazine is also a selective ABCC1activator that reduces amyloid-β (Aβ) load in mice. Thiethylperazine has anti-emetic, antipsychotic and antimicrobial effects.
-
SB-277011 hydrochloride
0 ImagesSynonyms: SB-277011A hydrochlorideSB-277011 hydrochloride (SB-277011A hydrochloride) is a potent, selective, orally bioavailable and brain penetrate dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) antagonist with Ki values of 10.7 nM and 11.2 nM at rodent and human D3R, respectively. SB-277011 hydrochloride displays 80- to 100-fold selectivity over other dopamine receptors with pKis of 8.0, 6.0, <5.2, and 5.9 for D3, D2, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1D receptors, respectively.
-
Piribedil
0 ImagesPiribedil is a potent and orally active dopamine D2 and dopamine D3 agonist. Piribedil is also a α2-adrenoceptors antagonist. Piribedil can inhibit MLL1 methyltransferase activity (EC50: 0.18 μM). Piribedil has the potential for the research of parkinson's disease, circulatory disorders, cancers.
-
Pramipexole dihydrochloride hydrate
0 ImagesPramipexole dihydrochloride hydrate is a selective and blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetrant dopamine D2-type receptor agonist, with Kis of 2.2 nM, 3.9 nM, 0.5 nM and 1.3 nM for D2-type receptor, D2, D3 and D4 receptors, respectively. Pramipexole dihydrochloride hydrate can be used for the research of Parkinson's disease (PD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS).
-
Asenapine
0 ImagesSynonyms: Org 5222Asenapine (Org 5222), an atypical antipsychotic, is an antagonist of serotonin receptors (pKi: 8.4-10.5), adrenoceptors (pKi: 8.9-9.5), dopamine receptors (pKi: 8.9-9.4) and histamine receptors (pKi: 8.2-9.0). Asenapine can be used in the research of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
-
Pericyazine
0 ImagesPericyazine (Propericiazine) is a first-generation antipsychotic agent that is used as an adjunct to the short-term management of severe anxiety states and psychosis. Pericyazine is a selective D2-dopamine receptor antagonist. Pericyazine has adrenolytic, anticholinergic, and extrapyramidal effects.
-
Dehydroaripiprazole
0 ImagesSynonyms: OPC-14857; DM-14857Dehydroaripiprazole (OPC-14857) is an active metabolite of Aripiprazole (HY-14546) and dopamine D2/D3 receptor partial agonist. Dehydroaripiprazole also has certain affinity for serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors. Dehydroaripiprazole has antipsychotic activity equivalent to Aripiprazole.
-
Lumateperone tosylate
0 ImagesSynonyms: ITI-007 tosylateLumateperone (ITI-007) tosylate is a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist (Ki = 0.54 nM), a partial agonist of presynaptic D2 receptors and an antagonist of postsynaptic D2 receptors (Ki = 32 nM), and a dopamine D1 receptor modulator. Lumateperone tosylate has anticancer activity and can also be used in studies of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.
