Beta1-adrenergic receptor is two faced in heart

New data generated by Howard Rockman and colleagues at Duke University Medical Center, have identified a new signaling pathway downstream of the beta1-adrenergic receptor in the heart that protects the muscle cells of the heart from dying. The potential clinical impact of these observations is discussed in the accompanying commentary by Stefan Englehardt from the University of WÃlrzburg, Germany.

In the study, stimulation of the beta1-adrenergic receptor, in vitro in human and mouse cells and in vivo in mice, was shown to activate a beta-arrestin signaling pathway that required the G protein–coupled receptor kinases 5 and 6 and resulted in transactivation of EGFR. Signaling downstream of EGFR activation protected the heart muscle cells from the toxic effects of chronic signals from the beta1-adrenergic receptor transmitted through Gs-dependent adenylyl cyclase activation. The latter signals are associated with heart failure and so the authors suggest that drugs that block Gs-dependent adenylyl cyclase activation but activate beta-arrestin signaling might provide a new type of therapeutic for the prevention of heart failure.-Journal of Clinical Investigation

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