In vitro activity: Rotigotine is dopamine D2 and D3 receptor agonist. Ki values are 13 and 0.71 nM for D2 and D3 respectively. Rotigotine also has significant affinity for 5-HT1A and adrenergic α2B receptors. Rotigotine exhibits antiparkinsonian acitivity.

Kinase Assay: Binding assays are performed in 96-well polypropylene tubes in a final volume of 2 mL for D1 and D4 membranes and 1 mL for D2, D3 and D5 membranes containing: 50 μL radioligand, 10 μL drug/buffer/non-specific binding, buffer (final concentration 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, MgCl₂ 2 mM) and membranes (5 μg protein for D2 and D3 and 25 μg protein for D1 and D5). Following 120 min of incubation at 25°C, bound radioligand is determined by rapid vacuum filtration through A/C glass fibre filters presoaked in 0.1% polyethylenimine. The filters are washed four times with 2 mL ice-cold ishing buffer (Tris-HCl 50 mM, pH 7.4 at 4°C) and retained radioactivity is determined by liquid scintillation counting.