DOWN-REGULATION OF BETA-ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS AND SIGNAL-TRANSDUCTION RESPONSE IN SALIVARY-GLANDS OF NOD MICE

Downregulation of beta-adrenergic receptors and signal transduction re sponse in salivary glands of NOD mice. Am. J. Physiol. 266 (Gastrointe st. Liver Physiol. 29): G433-G443, 1994. - The nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse is subject to autoimmune disease-associated lymphocytic attack on the salivary glands with a corresponding loss of exocrine function. Downregulation of stimulus response to the beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoproterenol, appears to be related to a decline in beta-adrenergic receptor density, changes in the level of intracellular second messeng er signaling component adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, and prote in kinase A activity. An autoantibody to the beta(1)-adrenergic recept or present in the sera of diabetic NOD mice may be involved in the red uced agonist response by virtue of its ability to retard dihydroalpren olol radioligand binding to receptors in the membranes of salivary gla nds from control mice and recognition of purified beta(1)-adrenergic r eceptor by immunoblotting techniques.