Dopamine receptor that is primarily expressed in limbic areas of the brain and is involved in the modulation of cognitive, emotional, and endocrine functions (PubMed:39984436). Plays a key role in regulating neuronal signaling pathways associated with motivation, reward, and behavior (PubMed:39984436). Coupled to G(i)/G(o) proteins; activation leads to inhibition of adenylate cyclase and decreased intracellular cAMP levels (PubMed:10578130). Involved in the control of locomotor activity and implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and substance use disorders (PubMed:39984436). Promotes cell proliferation through MAP kinase signaling (PubMed:19520868). Also involved in autophagy regulation: receptor activation stimulates AMPK, which phosphorylates RPTOR and enhances its interaction with MTOR, thereby inhibiting MTORC1 signaling and its downstream target RPS6KB1. This leads to activation of ULK1 and initiation of the autophagy cascade (PubMed:31538542). Forms heterotetramers with DRD1 to potentiate beta-arrestin recruitment and mediate locomotor activity (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P30728, ECO:0000269|PubMed:10578130, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19520868, ECO:0000269|PubMed:31538542, ECO:0000269|PubMed:39984436}. This is the function of ENSG00000151577 (DRD3, dopamine receptor D3).