Characterization of the beta-adrenergic receptor on the human platelet: a beta 2-subtype.

The human platelet beta-adrenergic receptor was characterized by using the ability of different drugs to stimulate the adenylate cyclase activity and the effects of various beta-antagonists to block the isoprenaline-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Isoprenaline was found 10 times more potent than adrenaline and 1000 times more potent than noradrenaline in stimulating the adenylate cyclase activity in these cells. Isoprenaline-stimulated activity was blocked by the non-selective beta-antagonists propranolol and alprenolol and by the beta 2-selective antagonist IPS 339 and prenalterol. Metoprolol, a beta 1-selective blocker, was without effect on the isoprenaline-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. We conclude from our findings that the beta-adrenergic receptor type on the human platelet is mainly of the beta 2-subtype.