G Protein Coupled Receptor 88 (GPR88)

The deduced 385-amino acid protein contains 7 transmembrane domains, an N-glycosylation site, and 5 putative protein kinase C phosphorylation sites. GPR88 shares closest sequence identity with 5HT1D receptor and beta-3 adrenergic receptor; however, it lacks several conserved features of these biogenic amine receptors. Rat and human GPR88 share 95% sequence identity, and the 5-prime untranslated region is 83% conserved between human and rodents. Northern blot analysis revealed a 3.5-kb transcript expressed in caudate nucleus and putamen, with lower levels in medulla. In situ hybridization of mouse brain revealed expression in the caudatoputamen, nucleus accumbens, and olfactory tubercle, and lower expression in the inferior olive nucleus.