Trace amine-associated receptor 1 as a monoaminergic modulator in brain.
Brain monoaminergic systems play critical roles in mood, cognition, emotion, reward, learning and attention, and aberrance in brain monoaminergic activity is associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders/diseases. The present commentary focuses on trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) and its potential regulatory roles in brain monoaminergic systems. TAAR1 was discovered in 2001 and has been established to be a G-protein-coupled receptor signaling through the cAMP pathway. This receptor is activated by a broad spectrum of agonists, although there are notable species differences in ligand efficacy and potency. TAAR1 is expressed and widely distributed in brain monoaminergic systems and co-localized with the dopamine transporter in a subset of dopaminergic neurons in rhesus monkey and mouse brain substantia nigra. TAAR1 activation by the common biogenic amines, the trace amine beta-phenylethylamine and methamphetamine alters the monoamine transporter function in both mouse and rhesus monkey brain synaptosomes, suggesting a modulatory role for this receptor in the presynaptic regulation of monoaminergic activity. However, little is known about other functional roles of TAAR1 in the brain. With a purpose to promote further studies on this receptor, we herein discuss the recent findings that provide insights into the functional significance and biological relevance of this receptor as a modulator in brain monoaminergic systems.
Xie
Zhihua
Z
Division of Neuroscience, New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, One Pine Hill Drive, Southborough, MA 01772, USA.
Miller
Gregory M
GM
D000818:Animals; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000095383:Trace Amine-Associated Receptors
D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D000095383:Trace Amine-Associated Receptors