Cloning, Sequencing, and Expression of the Gene Coding for the Human Platelet α ₂ -Adrenergic Receptor

TLDR

The human platelet α2‑adrenergic receptor gene was cloned using oligonucleotides matching its partial amino‑acid sequence. Ligand binding in Xenopus oocytes confirmed the cloned gene’s identity, and its amino‑acid sequence resembles β2 and β1 adrenergic receptors as well as muscarinic receptors, while low‑stringency Southern blot revealed two related genes that may encode additional α2‑adrenergic receptor subtypes.

Abstract

The gene for the human platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor has been cloned with oligonucleotides corresponding to the partial amino acid sequence of the purified receptor. The identity of this gene has been confirmed by the binding of alpha 2-adrenergic ligands to the cloned receptor expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The deduced amino acid sequence is most similar to the recently cloned human beta 2- and beta 1-adrenergic receptors; however, similarities to the muscarinic cholinergic receptors are also evident. Two related genes have been identified by low stringency Southern blot analysis. These genes may represent additional alpha 2-adrenergic receptor subtypes.