ADRENERGIC-RECEPTORS - FROM MOLECULAR-STRUCTURE TO IN-VIVO FUNCTION

Adrenergic receptors form the interface between the sympathetic nervou s system and the cardiovascular system as well as many endocrine and p arenchymal tissues. Although several hundred G-protein-coupled recepto rs have been identified, adrenergic receptors, along with the visual p igment rhodopsin, have been among the most extensively studied members of this family of receptors. This review focuses on recent advances i n understanding the molecular structure, function, and regulation of a drenergic receptors using in vitro systems and integrates recent trans genic animal models that were generated to study the adrenergic system in vivo. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Inc.