adrenergic receptors
Epinephrine binding sites
Adrenergic receptors are proteins on cell surfaces that respond to adrenaline and related hormones, triggering physiological responses like increased heart rate, dilated airways, or constricted blood vessels.
They fall into two main categories—alpha and beta receptors—each with subtypes that produce different effects in different tissues.
Many common medications target these receptors: beta blockers calm the heart, while drugs for asthma activate beta receptors in the lungs to ease breathing.
- catecholaminesTyrosine-derived neurotransmitter class
- fight or flightThreat-triggered physiological state
- fight responseInstinct to confront danger
- stress responseBody's reaction to threat
- vasoconstrictionArterial walls contracting inward
autonomic nervous system · agonist · vasodilation · smooth muscle · neurotransmitter · cardiac output · heart rate · beta blockers · bronchodilation · tachycardia · heart-pounding · pupil dilation · blood pressure regulation · alertness · sweating · tremor · albuterol · sympathetic
- adrenoceptorsbeta-1
- membrane proteinsaquaporin, transporters, transporter, carrier proteins, potassium channels
- receptorssensory receptors, dopamine receptors, GABA receptors, taste receptors, photoreceptors
- sympathetic systemsympathetic nervous system, fight or flight, fight or flight response, catecholamines
- circulationblood, circulation, arteries, veins, bloodstream
- tyrosine biochemistrytyrosine, dopamine, catecholamines, tyramine, VMA