Trace amine-associated receptor
Class of G protein-coupled receptors
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs), sometimes referred to as trace amine receptors (TAs or TARs), are a class of G protein-coupled receptors that were discovered in 2001.[1][2] TAAR1, the first of six functional human TAARs, has gained considerable interest in academic and proprietary pharmaceutical research due to its role as the endogenous receptor for the trace amines phenethylamine, tyramine, and tryptamine – metabolic derivatives of the amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, respectively – ephedrine, as well as the synthetic psychostimulants, amphetamine, methamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy).[3][4][5][6][7][8] In 2004, it was shown that mammalian TAAR1 is also a receptor for thyronamines, decarboxylated and deiodinated relatives of thyroid hormones.[5] TAAR2–TAAR9 function as olfactory receptors for volatile amine odorants in vertebrates.[9]
Animal TAAR complement
The following is a list of the TAARs contained in selected animal genomes:[10][11]
- Human – 6 genes (TAAR1, TAAR2, TAAR5, TAAR6, TAAR8, TAAR9) and 3 pseudogenes (TAAR3, TAAR4P, TAAR7P)[12]
- Chimpanzee – 3 genes and 6 pseudogenes
- Mouse – 15 genes and 1 pseudogene
- Rat – 17 genes and 2 pseudogenes
- Zebrafish – 112 genes and 4 pseudogenes[13]
- Frog – 3 genes and 0 pseudogenes
- Medaka – 25 genes and 1 pseudogenes
- Stickleback – 25 genes and 1 pseudogenes
Human trace amine-associated receptors
Six human trace amine-associated receptors (hTAARs) – hTAAR1, hTAAR2, hTAAR5, hTAAR6, hTAAR8, and hTAAR9 – have been identified and partially characterized. The table below contains summary information from literature reviews, pharmacology databases, and supplementary primary research articles on the expression profiles, signal transduction mechanisms, ligands, and physiological functions of these receptors.
| TAAR subtype |
Prior names |
Signal transduction |
Expression profile |
Known or putative function in humans[note 1] | Known ligands | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hTAAR1 | TA1 TAR1 |
Gs, Gq, GIRKs, β-arrestin 2 |
CNS: brain (widespread), spinal cord Periphery: pancreatic β-cells, stomach, duodenum, intestines, leukocytes, elsewhere[note 2] |
• CNS: modulation of monoamine/glutamate neurotransmission • CNS: regulation of cognitive processes & mood states • Periphery: leukocyte chemotaxis • Periphery: regulation of GI hormone release & blood glucose • Regulation of satiety & body weight |
• Trace amines (e.g., tyramine, PEA, NMPEA) • Monoamine neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine) • Amphetamine and some structural analogs |
[3][14] [16][17] |
| hTAAR2 [note 3] |
GPR58 | Golf, other G protein coupling unknown[note 4] | CNS: brain (restricted)[note 5] Periphery: olfactory epithelium, intestines, heart, testes, leukocytes |
• Periphery: leukocyte chemotaxis • Olfaction: chemoreceptor for volatile odorants[note 6] |
[9][14] [16][17] [18][19] | |
| TAAR3 | GPR57 | N/A | N/A | Pseudogene in humans – N/A | N/A | [12][14] [16] |
| TAAR4 | TA2 | N/A | N/A | Pseudogene in humans – N/A | N/A | [12][14] [16] |
| hTAAR5 | PNR | Gs, Golf, Gq, G12/13 |
CNS: brain (restricted), spinal cord Periphery: olfactory epithelium, intestines, testes, leukocytes |
• Olfaction: chemoreceptor for volatile & foul odorants[note 6] | • Agonists: trimethylamine, N,N-DMEA • Inverse agonists: 3-iodothyronamine |
[9][14] [16][21] [22][23] [24] |
| hTAAR6 | TA4 TAR4 |
Golf, other G protein coupling unknown | CNS: brain Periphery: olfactory epithelium, intestines, testes, leukocytes, kidneys |
• Olfaction: chemoreceptor for volatile odorants[note 6] | • Agonists: putrescine and cadaverine[25] | [9][14] [16][26] |
| TAAR7 | – | N/A | N/A | Pseudogene in humans – N/A | N/A | [9][14] [16] |
| hTAAR8 | TA5 GPR102 |
Golf, Gi/o | CNS: brain Periphery: olfactory epithelium, melanocytes,[27] stomach, intestines, heart, testes, leukocytes, kidneys, lungs, muscle, spleen |
• Olfaction: chemoreceptor for volatile odorants[note 6] | • Agonists: putrescine and cadaverine[25] | [9][14] [16][28] |
| hTAAR9 [note 7] |
TA3 TAR3 |
Golf, other G protein coupling unknown | CNS: spinal cord Periphery: olfactory epithelium, intestines, leukocytes, pituitary gland, skeletal muscle, spleen |
• Olfaction: chemoreceptor for volatile odorants[note 6] | • Agonist: N-Methyl piperidine (CAS: 626-67-5) [29] | [9][14] [16][30] |
| ||||||
Disease links and clinical significance
Ulotaront / SEP 363856 is a TAAR1 agonist in phase 3 clinical trials for schizophrenia and earlier trials for Parkinson's Disease psychosis. The medicine has obtained Breakthrough designation from the US FDA.[31][32][33]