Characterization of the beta 2 adrenoceptors of dog liver

The beta-adrenoceptors present in dog liver were characterized by radioligand binding techniques. [3H]Dihydroalprenolol bound with high affinity (KD 0.9 nM) to a relatively low number of sites (approximately 68 fmol/mg protein) in partially purified dog liver plasma membranes. These sites were characterized by binding competition; the orders of affinity were: (a) for agonists: (-)isoproterenol > or = salbutamol > epinephrine > or = terbutaline > norepinephrine > (+)isoproterenol and (b) for antagonists: propranolol > ICI 118551 >> metoprolol >> atenolol. These data indicate that dog liver expresses beta-adrenoceptors of the beta2 subtype.