Dopamine-like body structure may facilitate the search for safer antipsychotic drugs

a new study on the structure of the dopamine D2 subject (DRD2), which binds to the commonly used antipsychotic drug lipidone, is the main target of drugs used to treat mental illness. Because drugs targeting the receptor and other associated receptors have a tiger effect, they often cause serious and harmful side effects. Because of this, a better understanding of the structure and function of DRD2 can help scientists find safer, alternative antipsychotic drugs for DRD2. The results were published online January 25 in
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neurotransmitter dopamine is associated with a variety of diseases, such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and depression. Its behavior is mediated by a family of proteins consisting of five G protein coupled subjects. One of the subjects is DRD2, which is the main target of a variety of antipsychotic drugs, but its structure and function at the molecular level of understanding has been blurred.
Bryan Roth of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and colleagues reported on the crystal structure of DRD2 in combination with lipesterone. They found that the drug binds to the subject in a special way, when a small hydrophobic piece of tryptophan controls the drug's entry and exit like a hat - unlike what was observed in the D3 and D4 subjects. Mutations at this location shorten the time it takes for the drug to remain in combination with the subject, which is usually thought to be associated with side effects caused by typical antipsychotic drugs. (Source: Feng Weiwei, China Science Journal)