Receptors in neuroscience are specialized information-receiving proteins located on the surface of cells or within the cell membrane that play pivotal roles in mediating cellular responses to various neurotransmitters, hormones, and other signalling molecules. Receptors act as molecular gatekeepers, converting extracellular signals into intracellular responses, and are critical for neural communication and brain function. One of the most well-studied roles of receptors in neurons is their involvement in synaptic transmission. Neurotransmitter receptors are specific for various small-molecule neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine. These receptors are classified into two main types: ionotropic receptors and metabotropic receptors. Ionotropic receptors (also known as ligand-gated ion channels) directly mediate the flow of ions across the cell membrane in response to neurotransmitter binding. For instance, the AMPA and NMDA receptors, both ionotropic glutamate receptors, are essential for fast excitatory synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity, respectively. Dysregulation of these receptors has been implicated in conditions such as epilepsy and some neurodegenerative diseases. Conversely, metabotropic receptors are coupled to intracellular signalling pathways through G-proteins. They modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission indirectly. For example, GABA-B receptors are metabotropic receptors for the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and play a crucial role in controlling neuronal activity and maintaining synaptic homeostasis. Neuromodulatory receptors are a specialized class of receptors that regulate the excitability and plasticity of neurons over extended periods. They are typically activated by neuromodulators such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These receptors influence the strength of synaptic connections, the responsiveness of neurons, and overall brain activity. They include such receptors as dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, which are involved in the regulation of reward and motivation, motor control, and cognitive functions. Dysregulation of dopaminergic signalling is associated with psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and addiction. Hormone receptors are expressed in neurons and other cells throughout the brain and play a critical in neuroendocrine communication. For instance, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptors in the hypothalamus are involved in regulating the stress response and modulating the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland. In addition to hormones, neuropeptides, a class of small signalling molecules, also act as neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in the brain. Neuropeptide receptors, such as the oxytocin receptor, play critical roles in social bonding, maternal behaviour, and emotional regulation. Receptors also participate in neuronal development and neural plasticity. During brain development, trophic factors like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) bind to their receptors, influencing neuronal survival, differentiation, and connectivity. The Trk family of receptors, for instance, mediates the actions of BDNF and other neurotrophins and is crucial for the establishment of neural circuits during development. Finally, receptors in neural plasticity are involved in modifying synaptic strength and neural connections in response to experience and learning. For example, NMDA receptors, by allowing calcium influx, are key mediators of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), which underlie the processes of learning and memory. Explore our full receptors product range below and discover more, for less. Alternatively, you can explore our Integrins product range.