The molecular actions of beta-agonists in the cardiac sarcolemma

Although alpha-receptors are known to exist in the myocardium, the predominant effect of catecholamines on the force of contraction of the heart is mediated through beta-receptors. This review deals only with the latter, and is particularly concerned with the sarcolemmal molecular mechanisms by which beta-stimulation increases the rate of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production by adenylate cyclase.