title: Subclassification and nomenclature of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors.
abstract: The subclassification of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors has resulted in many opportunities for drug discovery. Important adrenoceptor targets include beta(2)-agonists as bronchodilators, beta(1) or beta(1)/beta(2) antagonists as antihypertensives, centrally acting alpha(2)-agonists for a variety of applications and alpha(1)-antagonists for hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The pharmacology and nomenclature of 9 adrenoceptors is now established, with alpha(1), alpha(2) and beta-adrenoceptors being divided into three subtypes each. It is unlikely that additional discrete adrenoceptor sequences will be identified; however the presence of "affinity states" can give rise to tissue specific differences in pharmacology for a specific subtype. Polymorphisms and splice variants of adrenoceptors continue to be identified; in some cases these modifications can affect pharmacological characteristics and could influence the efficacy of adrenoceptor-targeted therapy. Selective antagonists are now available of all 9 adrenoceptor subtypes. Although these will not all have therapeutic application, the availability of improved pharmacologic tools could lead to the identification of new adrenoceptor targets.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Urogenital Pharmacology, GlaxoSmithKline, 709 Swedeland Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, 19406-0939, USA. j_paul_hieble@gsk.com
authors.forename: J Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hieble
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000145:classification*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000145:classification*; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta