| [ Summary ] |
Histamine receptors, which belong to peptide-amine receptors, exist in the basolateral membrane of target cells, and are classified in to three pharmacologically distinct subtypes, termed H1,H2 and H3. Gene cloning of H1 and H2 receptors have shown that these receptors have seven transmembraneous domains composed of hydrophobic amino acids and belong to the superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors. Now, H1 and H2 receptor antagonists are successfully used in the treatment of allergic and peptic ulcer disease. In the future, more specific and selective antagonists to histamine receptors will be developed through advances in molecular biological studies of histamine receptors. |