Characterization of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors.

TLDR: In this paper, it was shown that α2 receptors may exist in multiple-affinity states reflecting the ability of the α2 binding-site protein to form a complex with additional membrane proteins that themselves are receptors for the physiological substrates guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP), Na+, Mg2+, and possibly Ca2+-calmodulin.

Abstract: Publisher Summary Alpha-1 (α1) receptors by and large appear to occur in a single-affinity state with respect to both agonists and antagonists. By comparison, α2 receptors may exist in multiple-affinity states reflecting the ability of the α2 binding-site protein to form a complex with additional membrane proteins that themselves are receptors for the physiological substrates guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP), Na+, Mg2+, and possibly Ca2+-calmodulin. Binding studies have also strongly indicated that α2 receptors in most, if not all, tissues are probably coupled in an inhibitory manner to adenylate cyclase, as has been demonstrated in platelets, adipocytes, and NG 108-15 cells. Nothing is known about the mechanisms of regulation of α1 receptors, although both up- and down-regulations of α1 receptor have been demonstrated. In this regard, the ability to label and study α1 receptors on cells in culture would be particularly useful. With regard to α2 receptors, the number of affinity states that exist and their role in terms of the kinetics of α2-receptor coupling to adenylate cyclase are still not clear.