Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

In vitro Measurements of Tracheal Constriction Using Mice
Published on: June 25, 2012
Genetic variation in beta-adrenergic receptors and their relationship to susceptibility for asthma and therapeutic
1Angel Charity for Children--Wings for Genetic Research, Steele Memorial Children's Research, Department of Pediatrics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, USA. erickson@peds.arizona.edu
Abstract:
Our early work focused on quantitative variation in traits related to beta-adrenergic signaling: lymphocyte levels of cAMP and the binding properties of the beta-adrenergic receptor. We confirmed the work of others that the major histocompatibility locus had an effect on cAMP levels in mice and in man. The latter result was presumably due to the influence of beta-adrenergic receptors, since it was the isoproterenol-stimulated lymphocyte cAMP level that was studied. We went on to directly study beta-adrenergic receptor levels in mouse hepatic plasma membranes using dihydroalprenolol binding. We discovered a strain variation, apparently controlled by a single locus, which determined a magnesium influence on measurable levels of dihydroalprenolol binding. More recently, our group's work has focused on the human single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human beta2-adrenergic receptor. We found that variation at amino acid position 16 had a very marked effect on the response of subjects to albuterol. Similar trends were observed for asthmatic and nonasthmatic children, and the results were independent of baseline lung function. Our results, and those of other groups relating SNPs in the beta-adrenergic receptor to a number of responses, mostly related to asthma, are reviewed in this article.
Related Concept Videos
Adrenergic Receptors (Adrenoceptors): Classification
α-Adrenoceptors
α-Adrenoceptors are classified into two main subtypes: α1 and α2. The α1 adrenoceptors, which are found on postsynaptic...
Adrenergic Receptors: β Subtype
Isoprenaline > Adrenaline > Noradrenaline
Neurotransmitter binding to these receptors causes activation of adenylyl cyclase resulting in increased concentrations of cAMP and modulation of calcium ion channels within the cell. They are further classified into β1, β2, and β3 subtypes.
β1-adrenoceptors: β1-adrenoceptors have equal affinities for...
Adrenergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Classification of β-Receptor Blockers
Antihypertensive Drugs: Types of β-Blockers
Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

