A negative regulatory process that decreases ligand-receptor interactions. Reduction in receptor binding after ligand exposure can result from the internalization of ligand-receptor complex, an increase in receptor degradation, and/or a decrease in gene expression resulting in a decrease in receptor biosynthesis.

A negative regulatory effect on physiological processes at the molecular, cellular, or systemic level. At the molecular level, the major regulatory sites include membrane receptors, genes (GENE EXPRESSION REGULATION), mRNAs (RNA, MESSENGER), and proteins.