title: Beta-adrenergic axis and heart disease.
abstract: Beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) belong to a large family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that form the interface between the sympathetic nervous system and the cardiovascular system. The beta-AR signal system is one of the most powerful regulators of cardiac function, mediated by the effects of the sympathetic transmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine. In a number of cardiac diseases, however, the biology of beta-AR signaling pathways is altered dramatically. Here we discuss the role of beta-AR signaling in the normal and abnormal heart and how the use of genetically engineered mouse models has helped in our understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiac disease.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Medicine and Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Naga Prasad
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nienaber
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Rockman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000235:genetics; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000235:genetics; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051552:beta-Adrenergic Receptor Kinases
chemical_list: D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D051552:beta-Adrenergic Receptor Kinases