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Adrenergic Receptors in the Heart

1982; Annual Reviews; Volume: 44; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1146/annurev.ph.44.030182.002355

1545-1585

Brian B. Hoffman, R J Lefkowitz,

Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology

Introduction Catecholamines, acting through alphaand beta-adrenergic receptors, modulate a variety of physiological responses in the heart. Most impor­ tantly catecholamines increase the rate and force of cardiac contraction. These actions occur mainly as a consequence of the binding of the endoge­ nous substances norepinephrine and epinephrine to specific adrenergic receptors on the plasma membrane of cells in the heart. Whereas the effects of sympathetic nervous stimulation on the heart have been examined for many years (reviewed in 57), oIlly recently has it become possible to mea­ sure directly the properties of the receptors for catecholamines in the heart. Here we discuss a few selected areas of active research where radioligand binding techinques have been applied to the study of adrenergic receptors in the heart.