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Biological: Behavioural genetics · Evolutionary psychology · Neuroanatomy · Neurochemistry · Neuroendocrinology · Neuroscience · Psychoneuroimmunology · Physiological Psychology · Psychopharmacology (Index, Outline)
The alpha-1 adrenergic receptor (α1-AR) is an adrenergic receptor with the primary effect of vasoconstriction.
Effect[]
The α1 receptor has several, general, functions in common with other α-receptors, but also has specific effects.
General[]
Common (or still unspecified) effects include:
- Vasoconstriction of arteries to heart (coronary artery).[1]
- Vasoconstriction of veins[2]
- Decrease motility of smooth muscle in gastrointestinal tract[3]
Specific[]
The primary effect is on smooth muscle, which mainly constrict. However, there are other functions as well.
Smooth muscle[]
In smooth muscle of blood vessels the principal effect is vasoconstriction. Blood vessels with α1 receptors are present in the skin, the sphincters[4] of gastrointestinal system, kidney (renal artery)[5] and brain.[6] During the fight-or-flight response vasoconstriction results in the decreased blood flow to these organs. This accounts for an individual's skin appearing pale when frightened.
It also induces contraction of the urinary bladder[7][8], although this effect is minor compared to the relaxing effect of β-2 adrenergic receptors. In other words, the overall effect of sympathetic stimuli on the bladder is relaxation, in order to delay micturition during stress.
Other effects are on smooth muscle are contraction in:
- ureter
- hairs (arrector pili muscles)
- uterus (when pregnant)
- urethral sphincter
- bronchioles (although minor to the relaxing effect of β2 receptor on bronchioles)
- iris dilator muscle[4]
- seminal tract[4], resulting in ejaculation
In a few areas the result on smooth muscle is relaxation. These include:
- The rest of the GI tract than the sphincters.[4]
- Blood vessels of erectile tissue.[9]
Other[]
- ↑Secretion from salivary gland.[7]
- Increase salivary potassium levels.
- Glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis from adipose tissue[7] and liver.
- Secretion from sweat glands.[7]
- Activate mitogenic responses and regulate growth and proliferation of many cells.
Activity During Exercise[]
During exercise these alpha-1 receptors can be selectively blocked by sympathetic nervous activity, allowing the beta-2 receptors (which mediate vasodilation) to dominate. Note that only the alpha-1 receptors in exercising muscle will be blocked. Resting muscle will not have its alpha-1 receptors blocked, and hence the overall effect there will be alpha-1 mediated vasocontriction.
Mechanism[]
Alpha1-adrenergic receptors are members of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. Upon activation, a heterotrimeric G protein, Gq, activates phospholipase C (PLC), which causes an increase in IP3 and calcium. This triggers all other effects.
Agonists[]
Agonists include:
- noradrenaline
- adrenaline
- isoprenaline
- phenylephrine*[4] (decongestant)
- methoxamine*[4]
- cirazoline*
* denotes selective agonists to the receptor.
Noradrenaline has higher receptor affinity than has adrenaline, which, in turn has much higher affinity than isoprenaline.[4]
Antagonsts[]
Antagonists are various alpha blockers:
- mirtazapine (NaSSA)
- phenoxybenzamine (in hypertension)
- phentolamine (in hypertensive emergencies)
- prazosin*[4] (in hypertension)
- tamsulosin (in BPH)
- terazosin (in BPH and hypertension)
- doxazocin*[4] (in BPH and hypertension)
* denotes selective agonists to the receptor.
Subtypes[]
There are 3 α1-AR subtypes: alpha-1A, -1B and -1D, all of which signal through the Gq/11 family of G-proteins and different subtypes show different patterns of activation.
See also[]
- Other adrenergic receptors
- Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor
- Beta-1 adrenergic receptor
- Beta-2 adrenergic receptor
- Beta-3 adrenergic receptor
References[]
- ↑ Woodman OL, Vatner SF (1987). Coronary vasoconstriction mediated by α1- and α2-adrenoceptors in conscious dogs. Am. J. Physiol. 253 (2 Pt 2): H388–93.
- ↑ Elliott J (1997). Alpha-adrenoceptors in equine digital veins: evidence for the presence of both α1 and α2-receptors mediating vasoconstriction. J. Vet. Pharmacol. Ther. 20 (4): 308–17.
- ↑ Sagrada A, Fargeas MJ, Bueno L (1987). Involvement of α1 and α2 adrenoceptors in the postlaparotomy intestinal motor disturbances in the rat. Gut 28 (8): 955–9.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Rang, H. P. (2003). Pharmacology, Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. Page 163
- ↑ Schmitz JM, Graham RM, Sagalowsky A, Pettinger WA (1981). Renal α1 and α2 adrenergic receptors: biochemical and pharmacological correlations. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 219 (2): 400–6.
- ↑ Circulation & Lung Physiology I M.A.S.T.E.R. Learning Program, UC Davis School of Medicine
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Fitzpatrick, David; Purves, Dale; Augustine, George (2004). "Table 20:2" Neuroscience, Third Edition, Sunderland, Mass: Sinauer.
- ↑ Chou EC, Capello SA, Levin RM, Longhurst PA (2003). Excitatory α1-adrenergic receptors predominate over inhibitory β-receptors in rabbit dorsal detrusor. J. Urol. 170 (6 Pt 1): 2503–7.
- ↑ Morton JS, Daly CJ, Jackson VM, McGrath JC (2007). Alpha1A-adrenoceptors mediate contractions to phenylephrine in rabbit penile arteries. Br. J. Pharmacol. 150 (1): 112–20.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Walter F., PhD. Boron. Medical Physiology: A Cellular And Molecular Approaoch, Elsevier/Saunders. Page 787
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