Beta-adrenergic Signaling: Complexities and Therapeutic Relevance to Heart Failure

J.      David Port

Abstract

Adrenergic receptor signaling and heart failure are inextricably linked. Beta-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) serve not only as physiological modulators of heart rate and contractility, they are also primary therapeutic targets of individuals with heart failure as well as many other cardiovascular disorders. In light of these relationships, this short review will focus on the basic pharmacology distinguishing adrenergic receptor subtypes; on receptor subtype selective signaling; the molecular basis of β-AR gene expression; and, delve briefly into genetic variation of β-ARs that represents a potential basis of differential natural history of heart failure progression and that may serve as an underlying basis for therapeutic response.

Keywords: Adrenergic receptors, signaling, gene regulation, genetic variation, heart failure