RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Effect of ethanol on mouse cerebral cortical beta-adrenergic receptors. JF Molecular Pharmacology JO Mol Pharmacol FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 217 OP 222 VO 32 IS 1 A1 P Valverius A1 P L Hoffman A1 B Tabakoff YR 1987 UL http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/32/1/217.abstract AB Low concentrations of ethanol (10-100 mM), added to assays in vitro, altered agonist (isoproterenol) binding to mouse cerebral cortical beta-adrenergic receptors in a reversible manner. Ethanol decreased the affinity of the high affinity form of the receptor for isoproterenol but had no effect on the affinity of the low affinity form of the receptor, the proportion of high and low affinity forms of the receptor, the total number of agonist-binding sites, or antagonist binding. The selective effect of ethanol on the properties of the high affinity agonist-binding site suggested that ethanol alters the characteristics of the complex of the receptor and Gs, the guanine nucleotide-binding protein. In cerebral cortical membranes of mice that had ingested ethanol chronically, isoproterenol binding data were best fit by a one-site model, even in the absence of guanine nucleotides. This change, when considered together with previously reported changes in adenylate cyclase activity, is reminiscent of heterologous desensitization of the beta-adrenergic receptor. Thus, both acute and chronic ethanol administration may produce changes in adrenergic function in brain.