Biomaterial Database

Adrenergic and muscarinergic receptors: classification, pathophysiological relevance and drug target. 1991

P A van Zwieten

Department of Pharmacotherapy and Cardiology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The rapid development of receptor pharmacology has not only proved to be of great fundamental value, but has also acquired clinical relevance. Major advances have been made in fundamental issues such as the analysis of receptor structures by means of cloning techniques; the elucidation of signal transduction processes, which mediate the signal triggered by receptor activation to intracellular effector structures; and the investigation of receptor changes associated with disease. After a more general discussion of these issues, special attention is paid in the present survey to alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors and to muscarinic receptors. The agonists and antagonists for the various receptor subtypes are discussed, as well as the most important changes in receptor characteristics associated with cardiovascular disease. Potential new therapeutic options based on improved knowledge of receptor pharmacology are discussed for the various alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor subtypes. Special attention is paid to the new and rapidly developing field of muscarinic receptors as a hypothetical basis for drug therapy in cardiovascular and other diseases.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006973	Hypertension	Persistently high systemic arterial BLOOD PRESSURE. Based on multiple readings (BLOOD PRESSURE DETERMINATION), hypertension is currently defined as when SYSTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently greater than 140 mm Hg or when DIASTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently 90 mm Hg or more.	Blood Pressure, High,Blood Pressures, High,High Blood Pressure,High Blood Pressures
D011941	Receptors, Adrenergic	Cell-surface proteins that bind epinephrine and/or norepinephrine with high affinity and trigger intracellular changes. The two major classes of adrenergic receptors, alpha and beta, were originally discriminated based on their cellular actions but now are distinguished by their relative affinity for characteristic synthetic ligands. Adrenergic receptors may also be classified according to the subtypes of G-proteins with which they bind; this scheme does not respect the alpha-beta distinction.	Adrenergic Receptors,Adrenoceptor,Adrenoceptors,Norepinephrine Receptor,Receptors, Epinephrine,Receptors, Norepinephrine,Adrenergic Receptor,Epinephrine Receptors,Norepinephrine Receptors,Receptor, Adrenergic,Receptor, Norepinephrine
D011976	Receptors, Muscarinic	One of the two major classes of cholinergic receptors. Muscarinic receptors were originally defined by their preference for MUSCARINE over NICOTINE. There are several subtypes (usually M1, M2, M3....) that are characterized by their cellular actions, pharmacology, and molecular biology.	Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors,Muscarinic Receptors,Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor,Muscarinic Receptor,Acetylcholine Receptor, Muscarinic,Acetylcholine Receptors, Muscarinic,Receptor, Muscarinic,Receptor, Muscarinic Acetylcholine,Receptors, Muscarinic Acetylcholine
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013566	Sympathomimetics	Drugs that mimic the effects of stimulating postganglionic adrenergic sympathetic nerves. Included here are drugs that directly stimulate adrenergic receptors and drugs that act indirectly by provoking the release of adrenergic transmitters.	Amines, Sympathomimetic,Sympathomimetic,Sympathomimetic Agent,Sympathomimetic Drug,Sympathomimetic Agents,Sympathomimetic Drugs,Sympathomimetic Effect,Sympathomimetic Effects,Agent, Sympathomimetic,Agents, Sympathomimetic,Drug, Sympathomimetic,Drugs, Sympathomimetic,Effect, Sympathomimetic,Effects, Sympathomimetic,Sympathomimetic Amines
D014661	Vasoconstriction	The physiological narrowing of BLOOD VESSELS by contraction of the VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE.	Vasoconstrictions
D015394	Molecular Structure	The location of the atoms, groups or ions relative to one another in a molecule, as well as the number, type and location of covalent bonds.	Structure, Molecular,Molecular Structures,Structures, Molecular
D015398	Signal Transduction	The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway.	Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal