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]
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D2 Receptor Related Products (296)
Related Products (296)
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Sarizotan
0 ImagesSynonyms: EMD 128130Sarizotan (EMD 128130) is an orally active serotonin 5-HT1A receptor and dopamine receptor agonist. Sarizotan (EMD 128130) exhibits IC50 values of 6.5 nM (rat 5-HT1A), 0.1 nM (human 5-HT1A), 15.1 nM (rat D2), 17 nM (human D2), 6.8 nM (human D3) and 2.4 nM (human D4.2), respectively.
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Neuromedin N
0 ImagesSynonyms: Neuromedin N (rat, mouse, porcine, canine)Neuromedin N is a potent modulator of dopamine D2 receptor agonist binding in rat neostriatal membranes.
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Propionylpromazine hydrochloride
0 ImagesSynonyms: Propiopromazine hydrochloridePropionylpromazine hydrochloride (Propiopromazine hydrochloride), a dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) antagonist, can be used in the research of Parkinson disease.
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Desmethyl cariprazine
0 ImagesDesmethyl cariprazine is a major active metabolite of cariprazine, with activities at human dopamine receptors and serotonin receptors, showing a pEC50 of 8.90 at human D2 receptors, a pEC50 of 8.09 at D3 receptors, and a pEC50 of 6.28 at 5-HT1A receptors. Desmethyl cariprazine inhibits forskolin-induced cAMP production at D2, D3 and 5-HT1A receptors, and suppresses serotonin-induced Ca2+ release at 5-HT2B receptors. Desmethyl cariprazine is applicable to research related to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder type I and bipolar disorder.
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Metopimazine
0 ImagesSynonyms: EXP999; RP9965Metopimazine (EXP999; RP9965) is a phenothiazine, orally available, selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonist that does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Metopimazine blocks dopamine D2 receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone and the periphery, thereby inhibiting nausea and vomiting. Metopimazine is indicated for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and has low central side effects due to its poor brain penetration. The use of metopimazine in acute gastroenteritis may have potential risks.
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Oxypertine
0 ImagesOxypertine (WIN-18501-2) is a neuroprotective agent. Oxypertine shows high affinity for the 5-HT2 and dopamine D2 receptors with Kis of 8.6 nM and 30 nM, respectively. Oxypertine can be used in the research of neurological conditions, such as anxiety and schizophrenia.
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Pipamperone
0 ImagesPipamperone (Floropipamide) is a butyrophenone derivative and high-affinity antagonist of 5-HT2A receptor (pKi=8.2) and D4 receptor (pKi=8.0). Pipamperone is also a low-affinity antagonist of D2 receptor (pKi=6.7). Pipamperone affects neurotransmitter functions and exerts antipsychotic activity. Pipamperone is used in the research of mental disorders such as autism-related behavioral disorders and Alzheimer's disease.
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Halopemide
0 ImagesHalopemide is a potent phospholipase D (PLD) inhibitor, with IC50s of 220 and 310 nM for human PLD1 and PLD2, respectively. Halopemid is a dopamine receptors antagonist, and acts a psychotropic agent.
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Nemonapride
0 ImagesSynonyms: YM-09151-2; EmonaprideNemonapride is a highly potent dopamine D2 receptor antagonist with a Ki of 0.06 nM. Nemonapride also activates 5-HT1A receptor with an IC50 of 34 nM. Nemonapride is an antipsychotic that readily passes through the blood brain barrier and exhibits potent neuroleptic effects in animals.
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UNC9994
0 ImagesUNC9994, an analog of Aripiprazole, is a functionally selective β-arrestin-biased dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) agonist with EC50 <10 nM for β-arrestin-2 recruitment to D2 receptors. UNC9994 is simultaneously partial agonists of β-arrestin-2 translocation and antagonists of Gi-regulated cAMP production. Antipsychotic Activity.
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Ropinirole
0 ImagesSynonyms: SKF 101468Ropinirole (SKF 101468) is an orally active, potent D3/D2 receptor agonist with a Ki of 29 nM for D2 receptor. Ropinirole has pEC50s of 7.4, 8.4 and 6.8 for hD2, hD3 and hD4 receptors, respectively. Ropinirole has no affinity for the D1 receptors. Ropinirole has the potential for Parkinson's disease.
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L-Stepholidine
0 ImagesSynonyms: Stepholidine; (-)-Stepholidine; L-SPDL-Stepholidine (Stepholidine) is an alkaloid. L-Stepholidine exhibits mixed dopamine D1 receptor agonist and D2 antagonist properties. L-Stepholidine has neuroprotective effect. L-Stepholidine can be used for the researches of neurological disease, such as Parkinson disease, Alzheimer's disease and opiate addiction.
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Thiethylperazine dimaleate
0 ImagesThiethylperazine dimaleate, a phenothiazine derivate, is an orally active and potent dopamine D2-receptor and histamine H1-receptor antagonist. Thiethylperazine dimaleate is also a selective ABCC1activator that reduces amyloid-β (Aβ) load in mice. Thiethylperazine dimaleate has anti-emetic, antipsychotic and antimicrobial effects.
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Molindone (hydrochloride)
0 ImagesSynonyms: EN-1733AMolindone hydrochloride (EN-1733A) is an orally active and brain-penetrant dopamine D2/D5 receptor antagonist. Molindone hydrochloride shows antipsychotic and antidepressant-like activities. Molindone hydrochloride suppresses spontaneous locomotion, and antagonizes apomorphine-induced emesis. Molindone hydrochloride can be used for the research of neurological disease.
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Melperone
0 ImagesMelperone is a butyrophenone with atypical antipsychotic properties. Melperone is a multireceptor antagonist with Kds of 102 nM, 180 nM, 180 nM, and 150 nM for 5-HT2A, dopamine D2, α1-adrenergic, and α2-adrenergic receptors, respectively. Melperone has weak binding to histamine H1, 5-HT2C, 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D, and muscarinic receptors, with Kd values of 580 nM, 2100 nM, 2200 nM, 3400 nM, >10000 nM, respectively. Melperone is also a CYP2D6 inhibitor. Melperone can be used for the study of schizophrenia, and agitation in the elderly.
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Brilaroxazine
0 ImagesSynonyms: RP5063Brilaroxazine (RP5603) is a potent and orally active multimodal dopamine (DA)/serotonin (5-HT) modulator. Brilaroxazine is a partial agonist of dopamine (DA) D2, D3, and D4 receptors, 5-HT1A (Ki=1.5 nM) and 5-HT2A (Ki=2.5 nM), and has antagonist activity at 5-HT2B (Ki=0.19 nM), and 5-HT7 (Ki=2.7 nM) receptors. Brilaroxazine is an atypical antipsychotic agent, and has the potential to improve cognitive impairments in neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases in vivo.
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Pergolide
0 ImagesSynonyms: LY127809 free basePergolide (LY127809 free base), an Ergoline derivative, is a potent and orally active dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonist. Pergolide can be used for Parkinson's disease and hyperprolactinaemia research.
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Benztropine
0 ImagesBenztropine (Benzatropine; Benzotropine) is an orally active and BBB-permeable centrally acting anticholinergic agent that can be used for Parkinson's disease research. Benztropine is an anti-histamine agent and a dopamine re-uptake inhibitor. Benztropine is also a human D2 dopamine receptor allosteric antagonist. Benztropine mesylate also has anti-CSCs (cancer stem cells) effects.
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Acetophenazine dimaleate
0 ImagesAcetophenazine dimaleate, a phenothiazine derivative, is an antipsychotic agent. Acetophenazine dimaleate primarily blocks dopamine D2 receptors in the brain. Acetophenazine dimaleate can be used for researching psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and anxious depression.
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Naxagolide
0 ImagesSynonyms: (+)-PHNO; DopazinolNaxagolide ((+)-PHNO; Dopazinol) is a potent dopamine D2 (Dopamine Receptor) agonist. Naxagolide has the potential for the research of parkinson's disease (PD).
