Trace amines are compounds such as p-tyramine and tryptamine found in the body in trace amounts as their name implies. These substances were believed to mainly modulate aminergic pathways. However, they were found to activate Trace amino associated receptors (TAARs), members of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCRs) superfamily.Trace amine receptor 1 (TAAR-1) is part of the Rhodopsin family of GPCRs. Five other putative genes are thought to encode TAAR receptors. This receptor has a seven transmembrane domain with short extracellular N- and intracellular C- terminal domains.
