Adrenergic receptors

Adrenergic receptors are primarily activated by the catecholamines adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, and noradrenaline, also known as norepinephrine.  There are two main groups of adrenoreceptors, α and β; α adrenoceptors are subdivided to α1 and α2, of which α1 has the subtypes α1A, α1B and α1D, and  α2 has the subtypes α2A, α2B and α2C.  β Adrenoceptors have the subtypes β1, β2 and β3.   Adrenaline and noradrenaline have essential roles in vasoconstriction and vasodilation, as well as the regulation of arousal, attention, cognitive function, stress reactions, and the fight-or-flight response.   Dysfunction in the  adrenergic system can contribute to cardiovascular diseases, and changes in the noradrenergic system are associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, ADHD, schizophrenia and depression.

Further reading

Strosberg (1993) Structure, function, and regulation of adrenergic receptors. Protein Sci. 2(8) 1198 PMID: 8401205

Ciccarelli et al (2013) Adrenergic receptors and metabolism: role in development of cardiovascular disease. Front Physiol. 4 265 PMID: 24106479

Hussain et al [Updated 2022 May 8] Noradrenergic Synapse.. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540977/

Wu et al (2021) Ligands of Adrenergic Receptors: A Structural Point of View. Biomolecules. 11(7) 936 PMID: 34202543