Abstract
Zn2+ is abundant in the brain, where it plays a role in the function of a number of enzymes, structural proteins, and transcription factors. Zn2+ is also found in synaptic vesicles and is released into synapses achieving concentrations in the range of 100 to 300 μM [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA1997;94:13386–13387; Mol Pharmacol1997;51:1015–1023]. Therefore, Zn2+may play a physiological role in regulating the function of postsynaptic channels and receptors. We characterized the effect of Zn2+ on the functional properties of the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR). We found that physiological concentrations of Zn2+ increased agonist affinity and enhanced cAMP accumulation stimulated by submaximal concentrations of the βAR agonist isoproterenol. These results provide evidence that Zn2+ released at nerve terminals may modulate signals generated by the β2AR in vivo.
- The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
MolPharm articles become freely available 12 months after publication, and remain freely available for 5 years.Non-open access articles that fall outside this five year window are available only to institutional subscribers and current ASPET members, or through the article purchase feature at the bottom of the page.
|
