Beta-2 adrenergic receptor

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In medicine and physiology, beta-2 adrenergic receptors, or β-2 adrenergic receptors, are cell surface receptors of the G-protein-coupled receptor type that are in the sympathetic nervous system. Beta-2 adrenergic receptors are a "subclass of beta-adrenergic receptors (receptors, adrenergic, beta). Beta-2 Adrenergic receptors are more sensitive to epinephrine than to norepinephrine and have a high affinity for the agonist terbutaline. They are widespread, with clinically important roles in skeletal muscle, liver, and vascular, bronchial, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary smooth muscle."^[1] Their functions include vasodilation.

After binding, signal transduction activates the second messenger systems adenyl cyclase-cyclic AMP primarily and also cyclic GMP which then activates protein kinases.

Adrenergic beta-agonists, such as terbutaline, are used to treat asthma by preventing bronchoconstriction. Adrenergic beta-antagonists, such as atenolol or metoprolol are used to treat cardiac diseases.

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