Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2000-4-21
pubmed:abstractText
Mice with altered alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor genes have become important tools in elucidating the subtype-specific functions of the three alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor subtypes because of the lack of sufficiently subtype-selective pharmacological agents. Mice with a deletion (knockout) of the alpha(2A)-, alpha(2B)-, or alpha(2C)-gene as well as a point mutation of the alpha(2A)-gene (alpha(2A)-D79N) and a 3-fold overexpression of the alpha(2C)-gene have been generated. Studies with these mice indicate that most of the classical functions mediated by the alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor, such as hypotension, sedation, analgesia, hypothermia, and anesthetic-sparing effect, are mediated primarily by the alpha(2A)-subtype. The alpha(2B)-subtype is the principal mediator of the hypertensive response to alpha(2)-agonists, appears to play a role in salt-induced hypertension, and may be important in developmental processes. The alpha(2C)-subtype appears to be involved in many central nervous system processes such as the startle reflex, stress response, and locomotion. Both the alpha(2A)- and alpha(2C)-subtypes are important in the presynaptic inhibition of norepinephrine release and appear to have distinct regulatory roles. The ability to study subtype-specific functions in different mouse strains by altering the same alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor in different ways strengthens the conclusions drawn from these studies. Although these genetic approaches have limitations, they have significantly increased our understanding of the functions of alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor subtypes.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Apr
pubmed:issn
0022-3565
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
293
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2000
pubmed:articleTitle
In vivo gene modification elucidates subtype-specific functions of alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review