The adenosine A
1 receptor
is one member of the
adenosine receptor group of
G protein-coupled receptors with
adenosine
Adenosine (symbol A) is an organic compound that occurs widely in nature in the form of diverse derivatives. The molecule consists of an adenine attached to a ribose via a β-N9-glycosidic bond. Adenosine is one of the four nucleoside buildin ...
as
endogenous
Endogenous substances and processes are those that originate from within a living system such as an organism, tissue, or cell.
In contrast, exogenous substances and processes are those that originate from outside of an organism.
For example, ...
ligand
In coordination chemistry, a ligand is an ion or molecule ( functional group) that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex. The bonding with the metal generally involves formal donation of one or more of the ligand's ele ...
.
Biochemistry
A
1 receptors are implicated in sleep promotion by inhibiting wake-promoting
cholinergic neurons in the
basal forebrain.
A
1 receptors are also present in smooth muscle throughout the vascular system.
The adenosine A
1 receptor has been found to be ubiquitous throughout the entire body.
Signalling
Activation of the adenosine A
1 receptor by an
agonist
An agonist is a chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an antagonist blocks the action of the ago ...
causes binding of G
i1/2/3 or G
o protein. Binding of G
i1/2/3 causes an inhibition of
adenylate cyclase and, therefore, a decrease in the
cAMP concentration. An increase of the
inositol triphosphate/
diacylglycerol
A diglyceride, or diacylglycerol (DAG), is a glyceride consisting of two fatty acid chains covalently bonded to a glycerol molecule through ester linkages. Two possible forms exist, 1,2-diacylglycerols and 1,3-diacylglycerols. DAGs can act as sur ...
concentration is caused by an activation of
phospholipase C
Phospholipase C (PLC) is a class of membrane-associated enzymes that cleave phospholipids just before the phosphate group (see figure). It is most commonly taken to be synonymous with the human forms of this enzyme, which play an important role i ...
, whereas the elevated levels of
arachidonic acid are mediated by
DAG lipase, which cleaves DAG to form arachidonic acid.
Several types of
potassium channels are activated but N-, P-, and Q-type
calcium channels are inhibited.
Mechanism
This receptor has an inhibitory function on most of the tissues in which it rests. In the brain, it slows metabolic activity by a combination of actions. At the neuron's
synapse
In the nervous system, a synapse is a structure that permits a neuron (or nerve cell) to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron or to the target effector cell.
Synapses are essential to the transmission of nervous impulses fr ...
, it reduces
synaptic vesicle
In a neuron, synaptic vesicles (or neurotransmitter vesicles) store various neurotransmitters that are released at the synapse. The release is regulated by a voltage-dependent calcium channel. Vesicles are essential for propagating nerve impu ...
release.
Ligands
Caffeine
Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine class. It is mainly used recreationally as a cognitive enhancer, increasing alertness and attentional performance. Caffeine acts by blocking binding of adenosine t ...
, as well as
theophylline, has been found to antagonize both A
1 and
A2A receptors in the brain.
Agonists
* 2-Chloro-N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine (
CCPA).
*
N6-Cyclopentyladenosine
* N(6)-cyclohexyladenosine
*
Tecadenoson is an effective A1 adenosine agonist, as is
selodenoson.
* Benzyloxy-cyclopentyladenosine (BnOCPA) is an A1R selective agonist.
PAMs
* 2‑Amino-3-(4′-chlorobenzoyl)-4-substituted-5-arylethynyl thiophene # 4e
Antagonists
;Non-selective
*
Caffeine
Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine class. It is mainly used recreationally as a cognitive enhancer, increasing alertness and attentional performance. Caffeine acts by blocking binding of adenosine t ...
*
Theophylline
*
CGS-15943
;Selective
* 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethylxanthine (CPX / 8-cyclopentyltheophylline)
*
8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX)
* 8-Phenyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine
*
Bamifylline
* BG-9719
* BG-9928
* FK-453
* FK-838
*
Rolofylline (KW-3902)
* N-0861
* ISAM-CV202
In heart
The A
1 and A
2A receptors of endogenous adenosine are believed to play a role in regulating
myocardial oxygen consumption and coronary blood flow. Stimulation of the A
1 receptor has a myocardial depressant effect by decreasing the conduction of electrical impulses and suppressing
pacemaker cell function, resulting in a decrease in
heart rate
Heart rate (or pulse rate) is the frequency of the heartbeat measured by the number of contractions (beats) of the heart per minute (bpm). The heart rate can vary according to the body's physical needs, including the need to absorb oxygen and e ...
. This makes adenosine a useful medication for treating and diagnosing ''
tachyarrhythmias'', or excessively fast heart rates. This effect on the A
1 receptor also explains why there is a brief moment of cardiac standstill when adenosine is administered as a rapid
IV push during
cardiac resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure consisting of chest compressions often combined with artificial ventilation in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore sponta ...
. The rapid infusion causes a momentary myocardial stunning effect.
In normal physiological states, this serves as protective mechanisms. However, in altered cardiac function, such as
hypoperfusion caused by
hypotension
Hypotension is low blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. Blood pressure is indicated by two numbers, the systolic blood pressure (the top number) and the dia ...
,
heart attack
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which m ...
or
cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. It is a medical emergency that, without immediate medical intervention, will result in sudden cardiac death within minutes. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and possib ...
caused by nonperfusing
bradycardia
Bradycardia (also sinus bradycardia) is a slow resting heart rate, commonly under 60 beats per minute (BPM) as determined by an electrocardiogram. It is considered to be a normal heart rate during sleep, in young and healthy or elderly adults, ...
s, adenosine has a negative effect on physiological functioning by preventing necessary compensatory increases in heart rate and blood pressure that attempt to maintain cerebral perfusion.
In neonatal medicine
Adenosine antagonists are widely used in
neonatal medicine
Neonatology is a subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants, especially the ill or premature newborn. It is a hospital-based specialty, and is usually practised in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The ...
;
Because a reduction in A
1 expression appears to prevent hypoxia-induced
ventriculomegaly and loss of white matter, the pharmacological blockade of A
1 may have clinical utility.
Theophylline and caffeine are nonselective adenosine antagonists that are used to stimulate respiration in premature infants.
However, we are unaware of clinical studies that have examined the incidence of
periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) as related to neonatal caffeine use. Caffeine may reduce cerebral blood flow in premature infants, it is presumed by blocking vascular A
2 ARs. Thus, it may prove more advantageous to use selective A
1 antagonists to help reduce adenosine-induced brain injury.
References
External links
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*
*
*
{{Adenosinergics
Adenosine receptors