The role of dopamine receptor dimer complexes in the pathogenesis of depression

This abstract discusses the oligomerization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which significantly expands the functional capabilities of cells in living organisms by modulating intracellular signaling pathways. This provides a variety of physiological effects in both normal and pathological states. The structure and localization in the brain of one of the most studied heterodimers, the D1-D2 receptor complex, and its signaling cascades, which correlate with the development of depressive disorders, are examined. Sexual differences in the functioning of this heterodimer are analyzed, and the issue of the selectivity of bivalent synthetic ligands in activating specific intracellular pathways is discussed, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets for the targeted treatment of depressive disorders. The concluding part of the abstract addresses the diversity of dopamine receptor heterodimers with other members of the GPCR family and their role in the pathophysiology of depression.