Abstract
α2-Adrenergic receptors (α2ARs) present in the brainstem decrease blood pressure and are targets for clinically effective antihypertensive drugs. The existence of three α2AR subtypes, the lack of subtype-specific ligands, and the cross-reactivity of α2AR agonists with imidazoline receptors has precluded an understanding of the role of individual α2AR subtypes in the hypotensive response. Gene targeting was used to introduce a point mutation into the α(2a)AR subtype in the mouse genome. The hypotensive response to α2AR agonists was lost in the mutant mice, demonstrating that the α(2a)AR subtype plays a principal role in this response.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 801-803 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 273 |
Issue number | 5276 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1996 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General