Genetic control of adrenergic receptors on human platelets. A twin study.

It was examined whether genetic factors are involved in the expression of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors on human platelets, as measured with 3H-yohimbine as ligand. The twin series comprised 17 monozygotic and 15 dizygotic adult, healthy, male, drug-free twin pairs. For control of intraindividual and interassay variation, 13 unrelated pairs of subjects were examined. Bmax values for 3H-yohimbine binding (range 91-305 fmol/mg protein) proved to be under considerable genetic control; this was not the case for KD values. Different possible genetic mechanisms are discussed.