Increasing the density of the D2L receptor and manipulating the receptor environment are required to evidence the partial agonist properties of aripiprazole

► We constructed an inducible cell model for the expression of the D2L receptor. ► The response to partial D2 agonists was examined on various receptor densities. ► Increasing receptor density was not sufficient to detect a response to aripiprazole. ► Modifying ionic environment was necessary to measure a response to aripiprazole. ► Such modifications could unravel the functional selective profile of aripiprazole.