The rat α₂‐C4 adrenergic receptor gene encodes a novel pharmacological subtype

Abstract

A rat gene and brain cDNA (pA2d) encoding the homologue of the human alpha-C4 adrenergic receptor subtype were isolated and characterized. RNA blots indicate that this gene is expressed in brain, heart and kidney but not in lung, liver or pancreas. Yohimbine, WB-4101 and prasozin all exhibited high affinity for this receptor in binding studies. Clonidine was more potent and efficacious than norepinephrine in inhibiting forskolin-stimulated cAMP production in CHO cells expressing pA2d. Together, these data suggest that the alpha 2-C4 gene product defines a previously undescribed pharmacological subtype of alpha 2-adrenergic receptor.