Stereochemical requirements of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors for alpha-methyl substituted phenethylamines

The alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic effects of the stereoisomers of alpha-methyldopamine were evaluated in guinea pig aorta and field-stimulated guinea pig ileum, respectively, in order to establish the stereochemical requirements of these receptors for alpha-methyl substituted phenethylamines. The alpha 1-adrenergic receptor did not distinguish between the stereoisomers of alpha-methyldopamine which is in marked contrast to the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor where a dramatic stereochemical preference for the 2S(+)-isomer was observed. In addition, 2R(-)-alpha-methyldopamine displayed no alpha-receptor subtype specificity whereas 2S(+)-alpha-methyldopamine was highly selective (23 fold) for the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor. These results indicate that the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor can recognize and accept methyl substituents at the alpha-carbon atom of phenethylamines when correctly oriented, while the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor cannot. Thus, the alpha-carbon atom is a major determinant of the alpha 2-adrenergic effects of phenethylamines, and plays an important role in determining alpha-receptor subtype specificity. It is hypothesized that the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor (but not alpha 1) has an additional recognition site which will accommodate alpha-substituted phenethylamines.