Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor

The Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor (pronounced as: al-fa one ad-ren-er-gic re-cep-tor) is a type of adrenergic receptor that is primarily found in the smooth muscle cells of the vascular system. It is a G protein-coupled receptor that is activated by the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline).

Etymology

The term "Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor" is derived from the Greek word "αλφα" (alpha), which is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and the term "adrenergic", which refers to the action of the neurotransmitters adrenaline and noradrenaline. The number "1" indicates that it is one of several subtypes of alpha adrenergic receptors.

Function

When activated, the Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor causes a series of reactions that result in the constriction of blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure. This receptor also plays a role in the contraction of various other smooth muscles in the body, such as those in the bladder and prostate.

Related Terms

Adrenergic receptor: A class of G protein-coupled receptors that are targets of many catecholamines like norepinephrine and epinephrine.
Norepinephrine: A neurotransmitter that is released from the sympathetic nervous system in response to stress.
Epinephrine: A hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands, especially in conditions of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion.
G protein-coupled receptor: A large protein family of receptors that sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal transduction pathways and, ultimately, cellular responses.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor
Wikipedia's article - Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor

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Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor