PMID: 7334949Dec 1, 1981Paper

An hypothesis of the molecular structure of the dopamine receptor

Medical Hypotheses
J R Smythies

Abstract

Neurotensin has psychopharmacological properties similar to dopamine receptor blocking drugs. A Chou and Fasman analysis of the primary sequence suggests that the sequence 1-6 forms an alpha-helix broken by pro (7) and 9-12 forms a beta-turn. This allows the peptide molecule to form an amphoteric structure with, on one side, the evenly space array - p glu - glu - arg - arg - ( delta- - + +) which is self-complementary. Thus, two molecules of neurotensin placed head to tail can form a Kusnetsov-Ghokov grid with four cross-links (p glu and glu to arg - arg) x 2. The walls of a shadow potential receptor cup are formed by asn(5), pro(7), ile(12) and pro(10) on each side. CPK model building experiments indicate that this structure is complementary to a wide range of dopamine agonists and antagonists. Therefore, the hypothesis is presented that neurotensin may mimic part of the DA receptor protein. Thus it may form a 'false' receptor and trap dopamine molecules, thus diminishing the dopamine effect. Similarities between this proposed structure and a model of the molecular structure of the acetylcholine receptor are detailed.

References

Oct 1, 1976·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·D Feldman
Oct 1, 1976·Biophysical Journal·G D FasmanA J Adler
May 7, 1981·Nature·G N ErvinA J Prange

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 1, 1992·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·W X Shi, B S Bunney
Apr 1, 1985·Medicinal Research Reviews·C Kaiser, T Jain
Dec 18, 2007·Brain : a Journal of Neurology·Kristina SimonyanChristy L Ludlow
Sep 4, 2019·PLoS Computational Biology·Benjamin ParrellJohn Houde

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.