Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the rhesus monkey beta 2 adrenergic receptor

The beta 2 adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) plays a key role in the signal transduction mechanism for epinephrine and norepinephrine. The gene for beta 2 adrenergic receptors has been cloned for several species, but has remained undetermined for rhesus monkey. In this study, we report the isolation of the gene encoding the rhesus beta 2AR from both cDNA and genomic DNA sources. Sequence analysis of the gene reveals an intronless open reading frame that encodes a 415-amino-acid protein. The rhesus receptor is highly homologous to that from other species, especially to the human receptor (97% sequence identity). Functional characterization by ligand binding and agonist-mediated cAMP accumulation indicates that the rhesus beta 2 receptor shares a very similar pharmacological profile with the human beta 2 receptor. Therefore, the rhesus monkey represents a valid animal model for developing therapeutic agents targeted at the corresponding human beta 2 receptor.