Adrenergic receptors are proteins that enable cell signaling and respond to neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and epinephrine. There are two main types, alpha and beta, and they can stimulate various physical responses. Research on these receptors is used to develop pharmaceutical products that target specific receptors.
Adrenergic receptors are proteins sensitized to particular chemical compounds. Some cell types contain these proteins along with others to enable cell signaling, where cells communicate with each other through the use of chemical signals. These proteins are most sensitive to norepinephrine and epinephrine, two neurotransmitters involved in sympathetic nervous system function. The famous “fight or flight syndrome” experienced by people under stress is mediated by adrenergic receptors. These proteins can stimulate a variety of responses that trigger muscle contractions, are involved in certain secretions, and modulate blood pressure.
There are two main types of adrenergic receptors: alpha and beta. There are also a number of minor subtypes, each of which is responsible for particular types of responses and sensitized to specific neurotransmitters. Some chemical compounds act as agonists, stimulating adrenergic receptors, while others act as antagonists, blocking the action of these proteins. These compounds can be produced by the body as part of a response to a situation and can also be introduced accidentally or deliberately by ingesting certain substances.
Some examples of physical responses that may involve adrenergic receptors include: contraction of the body’s smooth muscles; contraction of the heart muscle; dilation and constriction of blood vessels; inhibition of secretions such as saliva, insulin and histamines; and the promotion of an increase in bodily secretions. When someone’s heart starts pounding and blood pressure starts to rise during stress, this is in part due to the actions of adrenergic receptors in the body.
Researchers have studied adrenergic receptors to learn more about what they do and where they can be found in the body. This research is used to better understand how the body works and to develop pharmaceutical products that can target specific receptors to achieve the desired effect. For example, vasoconstrictors and vasodilators can be designed with substances that will interact with adrenergic receptors which promote the constriction or expansion of blood vessels.
These specialized proteins are also known as adrenoceptors. They are part of a large family of proteins found in the cell membrane sensitized to particular classes of chemical compounds. On a daily basis, these proteins are constantly active, as part of the larger system that keeps the body running smoothly; the communications between millions of cells in the body do everything from stimulating the digestive system to contracting to push food along its path to telling the heart when to beat.
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