This table is intended as an aide-memoire rather than a comprehensive description, hence the use of common abbreviations. The agonists and antagonists are those which, under controlled conditions, are useful to characterise the receptors, but are not necessarily highly specific or selective.

The receptors marked MB are those which have been identified by molecular biological techniques but for which there is little or no functional data. In these instances, it is not known whether the selective compound is an agonist or an antagonist. The second messenger listed is the one which has most frequently been found to be associated with the receptor (the symbol `g' indicates an ionic conductance). Consult the recommended reviews for fuller details. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences publishes a receptor nomenclature supplement at approximately yearly intervals which summarises the current consensus for a wide range of receptors. 

Index

  Table of Contents