Antisense oligonucleotides fail to inhibit the expression of central beta adrenergic receptors

A number of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) targeted to different regions of mRNAs were tested for their ability to inhibit the expression of central beta adrenergic receptors (ARs). None of these antisense ODNs reduced beta AR density. By contrast, a dopamine D2 receptor antisense ODN did decrease striatal D2 receptor density. The recovery of beta AR density after down-regulation was not altered by any of the antisense ODNs tested. Moreover, the response of rats under a DRL 72-sec schedule to clenbuterol, a beta-2 selective AR agonist, was not attenuated by chronic treatment with a beta-2 AR antisense ODN.