alpha-2C Adrenergic R/ADRA2C Proteins and Enzymes

Alpha-2-adrenergic receptors, including ADRA2C, are members of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. They include 3 highly homologous subtypes: alpha2A, alpha2B, and alpha2C receptors that have a critical role in regulating neurotransmitter release from sympathetic nerves and from adrenergic neurons in the central nervous system. Mouse studies have revealed that both the alpha2A and alpha2C subtypes were required for normal presynaptic control of transmitter release from sympathetic nerves in the heart and from central noradrenergic neurons. The ADRA2A subtype inhibited transmitter release at high stimulation frequencies, whereas the ADRA2C subtype modulated neurotransmission at lower levels of nerve activity.