alpha-2B Adrenergic R/ADRA2B: Proteins and Enzymes

Alpha-2-adrenergic receptors, including ADRA2B, are members of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. They include 3 highly homologous subtypes: alpha2A, alpha2B, and alpha2C that have a critical role in regulating neurotransmitter release from sympathetic nerves and from adrenergic neurons in the central nervous system. ADRA2B was observed to associate with eIF-2B, a guanine nucleotide exchange protein that functions in regulation of translation. A polymorphic variant of ADRA2B was identified to have decreased G protein-coupled receptor kinase-mediated phosphorylation and desensitization; this polymorphic form is also associated with reduced basal metabolic rate in obese subjects and may therefore contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity.