Adrenergic Receptors: Classification, ligand binding and molecular properties

Abstract

The interaction of catecholamines and drugs with adrenergic receptors leads to a set of biochemical reactions which ultimately results in a physiological response. A brief review is given of the classification of adrenergic receptors into subtypes and the use of ligand binding techniques for the identification and characterization of these receptors. Recent advances in the biochemistry of adrenergic receptors are reviewed with special reference to the interaction of the βand α₂–receptors with guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins and adenylate cyclase. The role of calcium and phos–phoinositides in the function of the α₁–receptor is also discussed.