Trace Amine Associated Receptor 9 (TAAR9)

TAAR9 is a member of a large family of rhodopsin G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs, or GPRs). GPCRs contain 7 transmembrane domains and transduce extracellular signals through heterotrimeric G proteins.The TA3 cDNA encodes a deduced 348-amino acid protein.

By database searching for novel trace amine receptor genes, Vanti et al. (2003) discovered a sequence identical to that of TA3 with the exception of a thymine rather than an adenine at nucleotide 181, which resulted in a truncated, 60-amino acid protein. They subsequently isolated the full-length TA3 gene. By Northern blot analysis, they detected expression of an approximately 1-kb mRNA in pituitary gland and skeletal muscle but not other tissues or brain regions tested.