ANTISENSE OLIGONUCLEOTIDES FAIL TO INHIBIT THE EXPRESSION OF CENTRAL BETA-ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS

A number of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynuleotides (ODNs) tar geted to different regions of mRNAs were tested for their ability to i nhibit the expression of central beta adrenergic receptors (ARs). None of these antisense ODNs reduced beta AR density. By contrast, a dopam ine D-2 receptor antisense ODN did decrease striatal D2 receptor densi ty. The recovery of beta AR density after down-regulation was not alte red by any of the antisense ODNs tested. Moreover, the response of rat s under a DRL 72-sec schedule to clenbuterol, a beta-2 selective AR ag onist, was not attenuated by chronic treatment with a beta-2 AR antise nse ODN.