FoldGPCR: Structure prediction protocol for the transmembrane domain of G protein‐coupled receptors from class A

Building reliable structural models of G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) is a difficult task because of the paucity of suitable templates, low sequence identity, and the wide variety of ligand specificities within the superfamily. Template‐based modeling is known to be the most successful method for protein structure prediction. However, refinement of homology models within 1–3 Å Cα RMSD of the native structure remains a major challenge. Here, we address this problem by developing a novel protocol (foldGPCR) for modeling the transmembrane (TM) region of GPCRs in complex with a ligand, aimed to accurately model the structural divergence between the template and target in the TM helices. The protocol is based on predicted conserved inter‐residue contacts between the template and target, and exploits an all‐atom implicit membrane force field. The placement of the ligand in the binding pocket is guided by biochemical data. The foldGPCR protocol is implemented by a stepwise hierarchical approach, in which the TM helical bundle and the ligand are assembled by simulated annealing trials in the first step, and the receptor‐ligand complex is refined with replica exchange sampling in the second step. The protocol is applied to model the human β₂‐adrenergic receptor (β₂AR) bound to carazolol, using contacts derived from the template structure of bovine rhodopsin. Comparison with the X‐ray crystal structure of the β₂AR shows that our protocol is particularly successful in accurately capturing helix backbone irregularities and helix‐helix packing interactions that distinguish rhodopsin from β₂AR. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The importance of valine 114 in ligand binding in β2‐adrenergic receptor

G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are transmembrane signaling molecules, with a majority of them performing important physiological roles. β₂‐Adrenergic receptor (β₂‐AR) is a well‐studied GPCRs that mediates natural responses to the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. Analysis of the ligand‐binding region of β₂‐AR using the recently solved high‐resolution crystal structures revealed a number of highly conserved amino acids that might be involved in ligand binding. However, detailed structure‐function studies on some of these residues have not been performed, and their role in ligand binding remains to be elucidated. In this study, we have investigated the structural and functional role of a highly conserved residue valine 114, in hamster β₂‐AR by site‐directed mutagenesis. We replaced V114 in hamster β₂‐AR with a number of amino acid residues carrying different functional groups. In addition to the complementary substitutions V114I and V114L, the V114C and V114E mutants also showed significant ligand binding and agonist dependent G‐protein activation. However, the V114G, V114T, V114S, and V114W mutants failed to bind ligand in a specific manner. Molecular modeling studies were conducted to interpret these results in structural terms. We propose that the replacement of V114 influences not only the interaction of the ethanolamine side‐chains but also the aryl‐ring of the ligands tested. Results from this study show that the size and orientation of the hydrophobic residue at position V114 in β₂‐AR affect binding of both agonists and antagonists, but it does not influence the receptor expression or folding.     

Effects of the β‐agonist,isoprenaline, on the down‐regulation,functional responsiveness and trafficking of β2‐adrenergic receptors with N‐terminal polymorphisms

The β₂‐AR (β₂‐adrenergic receptor) is an important target for respiratory and CVD (cardiovascular disease) medications. Clinical studies suggest that N‐terminal polymorphisms of β₂‐AR may act as disease modifiers. We hypothesized that polymorphisms at amino acids 16 and 27 result in differential trafficking and down‐regulation of β₂‐AR variants following β‐agonist exposure. The functional consequences of the four possible combinations of these polymorphisms in the human β₂‐AR (designated β₂‐AR‐RE, β₂‐AR‐GE, β₂‐AR‐RQ and β₂‐AR‐GQ) were studied using site‐directed mutagenesis and recombinant expression in HEK‐293 cells (human embryonic kidney cells). Ligand‐binding assays demonstrated that after 24 h exposure to 1 μM isoprenaline, isoforms with Arg¹⁶ (β₂‐AR‐RE and β₂‐AR‐RQ) underwent increased down‐regulation compared with isoforms with Gly¹⁶ (β₂‐AR‐GE and β₂‐AR‐GQ). Consistent with these differences in down‐regulation between isoforms, prolonged isoprenaline treatment resulted in diminished cAMP response to subsequent isoprenaline challenge in β₂‐AR‐RE relative to β₂‐AR‐GE. Confocal microscopy revealed that the receptor isoforms had similar co‐localization with the early endosomal marker EEA1 following isoprenaline treatment, suggesting that they had similar patterns of internalization. None of the isoforms exhibited significant co‐localization with the recycling endosome marker Rab11 in response to isoprenaline treatment. Furthermore, we found that prolonged isoprenaline treatment led to a higher degree of co‐localization of β₂‐AR‐RE with the lysosomal marker LAMP1 (lysosome‐associated membrane protein 1) compared with that of β₂‐AR‐GE. Taken together, these results indicate that a mechanism responsible for differential responses of these receptor isoforms to the β‐agonist involves differences in the efficiency with which agonist‐activated receptors are trafficked to the lysosomes for degradation, or differences in degradation in the lysosomes.     

Involvement of β‐adrenergic receptor in synaptic vesicle swelling and implication in neurotransmitter release

Secretory vesicle swelling is required for vesicular discharge during cell secretion. The G_αo‐mediated water channel aquaporin‐6 (AQP‐6) involvement in synaptic vesicle (SV) swelling in neurons has previously been reported. Studies demonstrate that in the presence of guanosine triphosphate (GTP), mastoparan, an amphiphilic tetradecapeptide from wasp venom, activates G_o protein GTPase, and stimulates SV swelling. Stimulation of G proteins is believed to occur via insertion of mastoparan into the phospholipid membrane to form a highly structured α‐helix that resembles the intracellular loops of G protein‐coupled adrenergic receptors. Consequently, the presence of adrenoceptors and the presence of an endogenous β‐adrenergic agonist at the SV membrane is suggested. Immunoblot analysis of SV using β‐adrenergic receptor antibody, and vesicle swelling experiments using β‐adrenergic agonists and antagonists, demonstrate the presence of functional β‐adrenergic receptors at the SV membrane. Since a recent study shows vH⁺‐ATPase to be upstream of AQP‐6 in the pathway leading from G_αo‐mediated swelling of SV, participation of an endogenous β‐adrenergic agonist, in the binding and stimulation of its receptor to initiate the swelling cascade is demonstrated.     

Ligand-stabilized conformational states of human beta(2) adrenergic receptor: insight into G-protein-coupled receptor activation

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are known to exist in dynamic equilibrium between inactive- and several active-state conformations, even in the absence of a ligand. Recent experimental studies on the β₂ adrenergic receptor (β₂AR) indicate that structurally different ligands with varying efficacies trigger distinct conformational changes and stabilize different receptor conformations. We have developed a computational method to study the ligand-induced rotational orientation changes in the transmembrane helices of GPCRs. This method involves a systematic spanning of the rotational orientation of the transmembrane helices (TMs) that are in the vicinity of the ligand for predicting the helical rotations that occur on ligand binding. The predicted ligand-stabilized receptor conformations are characterized by a simultaneous lowering of the ligand binding energy and a significant gain in interhelical and receptor-ligand hydrogen bonds. Using the β₂AR as a model, we show that the receptor conformational state depends on the structure and efficacy of the ligand for a given signaling pathway. We have studied the ligand-stabilized receptor conformations of five different ligands, a full agonist, norepinephrine; a partial agonist, salbutamol; a weak partial agonist, dopamine; a very weak agonist, catechol; and an inverse agonist, ICI-115881. The predicted ligand-stabilized receptor models correlate well with the experimentally observed conformational switches in β₂AR, namely, the breaking of the ionic lock between R131^3.50 at the intracellular end of TM3 (part of the DRY motif) and E268^6.30 on TM6, and the rotamer toggle switch on W286^6.48 on TM6. In agreement with trp-bimane quenching experiments, we found that norepinephrine and dopamine break the ionic lock and engage the rotamer toggle switch, whereas salbutamol, a noncatechol partial agonist only breaks the ionic lock, and the weak agonist catechol only engages the rotamer toggle switch. Norepinephrine and dopamine occupy the same binding region, between TM3, TM5, and TM6, whereas the binding site of salbutamol is shifted toward TM4. Catechol binds deeper into the protein cavity compared to the other ligands, making contact with TM5 and TM6. A part of the catechol binding site overlaps with those of dopamine and norepinephrine but not with that of salbutamol. Virtual ligand screening on 10,060 ligands on the norepinephrine-stabilized receptor conformation shows an enrichment of 38% compared to ligand unbound receptor conformation. These results show that ligand-induced conformational changes are important for developing functionally specific drugs that will stabilize a particular receptor conformation. These studies represent the first step toward a more universally applicable computational method for studying ligand efficacy and GPCR activation.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the effect of the G-protein and diffusible ligands on the β2-adrenergic receptor

G-protein-coupled receptors have extraordinary therapeutic potential as targets for a broad spectrum of diseases. Understanding their function at the molecular level is therefore essential. A variety of crystal structures have made the investigation of the inactive receptor state possible. Recently released X-ray structures of opsin and the β₂-adrenergic receptor (β₂AR) have provided insight into the active receptor state. In addition, we have contributed to the crystal structure of an irreversible agonist-β₂ adrenoceptor complex. These extensive studies and biophysical investigations have revealed that agonist binding leads to a low-affinity conformation of the active state that is suggested to facilitate G-protein binding. The high-affinity receptor state, which promotes signal transduction, is only formed in the presence of both agonist and G-protein. Despite numerous crystal structures, it is not yet clear how ligands tune receptor dynamics and G-protein binding. We have now used molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the distinct impact of agonist and inverse agonist on receptor conformation and G-protein binding by investigating the influence of the ligands on the structure and dynamics of a complex composed of β₂AR and the C-terminal end of the Gα_s subunit (GαCT). The simulations clearly showed that the agonist isoprenaline and the inverse agonist carazolol influence the ligand-binding site and the interaction between β₂AR and GαCT differently. Isoprenaline induced an inward motion of helix 5, whereas carazolol blocked the rearrangement of the extracellular part of the receptor. Moreover, in the presence of isoprenaline, β₂AR and GαCT form a stable interaction that is destabilized by carazolol.     

Distinct roles for β‐arrestin2 and arrestin‐domain‐containing proteins in β2 adrenergic receptor trafficking

β‐arrestin 1 and 2 (also known as arrestin 2 and 3) are homologous adaptor proteins that regulate seven‐transmembrane receptor trafficking and signalling. Other proteins with predicted ‘arrestin‐like’ structural domains but lacking sequence homology have been indicated to function like β‐arrestin in receptor regulation. We demonstrate that β‐arrestin2 is the primary adaptor that rapidly binds agonist‐activated β₂ adrenergic receptors (β₂ARs) and promotes clathrin‐dependent internalization, E3 ligase Nedd4 recruitment and ubiquitin‐dependent lysosomal degradation of the receptor. The arrestin‐domain‐containing (ARRDC) proteins 2, 3 and 4 are secondary adaptors recruited to internalized β₂AR–Nedd4 complexes on endosomes and do not affect the adaptor roles of β‐arrestin2. Rather, the role of ARRDC proteins is to traffic Nedd4–β₂AR complexes to a subpopulation of early endosomes.     

Target‐directed screening of the bioactive compounds specifically binding to β2‐adrenoceptor in Semen brassicae by high‐performance affinity chromatography

The bioactive ingredients in Semen sinapis were rapidly screened by immobilized β₂‐adrenoceptor (β₂‐AR) and target‐directed molecular docking. The methods involved the attachment of β₂‐AR using any amino group in the receptor, the simultaneous separation and identification of the retention compounds by high‐performance affinity chromatography; the binding mechanism of the interesting compound to the receptor was investigated by zonal elution and molecular docking. Sinapine in Semen sinapis was proved to be the bioactive compound that specifically binds to the immobilized receptor. The association constant of sinapine to β₂‐AR was determined to be 1.36 × 10⁵ M^?1 with a value of 1.27 × 10^?6 M for the number of binding sites. Ionic bond was believed to be the driving force during the interaction between sinapine and β₂‐AR. It is possible to become a powerful alternative for rapid screening of bioactive compounds from a complex matrix such as traditional Chinese medicine and further investigation on the drug–receptor interaction. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identifying the antiasthmatic target of doxofylline using immobilized β2‐adrenoceptor based high‐performance affinity chromatography and site‐directed molecular docking

As a xanthine derivative, doxofylline is believed to be dominant for fighting against asthma in practice. Unlike other xanthines, the antiasthmatic effects of doxofylline lack any definite proof of target and mediating mechanism according to previous reports. In this work, the interaction between doxofylline and β₂‐AR was investigated by high performance affinity chromatography using frontal analysis and nonlinear model. The methodology involved the immobilization of β₂‐AR on the silica gel by a random linking method, the determination of the binding parameters by frontal analysis and nonlinear chromatography and the exploration of the binding mechanism by site‐directed molecular docking. The association constant for doxofylline binding to immobilized β₂‐AR was determined to be 7.70 × 10⁴ M^?1 by nonlinear chromatography and 5.91 × 10⁴ M^?1 by frontal analysis. Ser¹⁶⁹ and Ser¹⁷³ were the binding sites for the receptor–drug interaction on which hydrogen bond was believed to be the main driven force during the interaction. These results indicated that the antiasthmatic effects of doxofylline may be behind the mediating mechanism of β₂‐AR. High performance affinity chromatography based on immobilized receptor has potential to become an alternative for drug target confirmation and drug–receptor interaction analysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Insights into β2‐adrenergic receptor binding from structures of the N‐terminal lobe of ARRDC3

ARRDC3 is one of six known human α‐arrestins, and has been implicated in the downregulation of the β2‐adrenergic receptor (β2AR). ARRDC3 consists of a two‐lobed arrestin fold and a C‐terminal tail containing two PPYX motifs. In the current model for receptor downregulation by ARRDC3, the arrestin fold portion is thought to bind the receptor, while the PPXY motifs recruit ubiquitin ligases of the NEDD4 family. Here we report the crystal structures of the N‐terminal lobe of human ARRDC3 in two conformations, at 1.73 and 2.8 Å resolution, respectively. The structures reveal a large electropositive region that is capable of binding phosphate ions of crystallization. Residues within the basic patch were shown to be important for binding to β2AR, similar to the situation with β‐arrestins. This highlights potential parallels in receptor recognition between α‐ and β‐arrestins.     

Ligand‐regulated oligomerization of β2‐adrenoceptors in a model lipid bilayer

The β₂‐adrenoceptor (β₂AR) was one of the first Family A G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) shown to form oligomers in cellular membranes, yet we still know little about the number and arrangement of protomers in oligomers, the influence of ligands on the organization or stability of oligomers, or the requirement for other proteins to promote oligomerization. We used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to characterize the oligomerization of purified β₂AR site‐specifically labelled at three different positions with fluorophores and reconstituted into a model lipid bilayer. Our results suggest that the β₂AR is predominantly tetrameric following reconstitution into phospholipid vesicles. Agonists and antagonists have little effect on the relative orientation of protomers in oligomeric complexes. In contrast, binding of inverse agonists leads to significant increases in FRET efficiencies for most labelling pairs, suggesting that this class of ligand promotes tighter packing of protomers and/or the formation of more complex oligomers by reducing conformational fluctuations in individual protomers. The results provide new structural insights into β₂AR oligomerization and suggest a possible mechanism for the functional effects of inverse agonists.     

Binding pathway determines norepinephrine selectivity for the human β1AR over β2AR

Beta adrenergic receptors (βARs) mediate physiologic responses to the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine released by the sympathetic nervous system. While the hormone epinephrine binds β₁AR and β₂AR with similar affinity, the smaller neurotransmitter norepinephrine is approximately tenfold selective for the β₁AR. To understand the structural basis for this physiologically important selectivity, we solved the crystal structures of the human β₁AR bound to an antagonist carazolol and different agonists including norepinephrine, epinephrine and BI-167107. Structural comparison revealed that the catecholamine-binding pockets are identical between β₁AR and β₂AR, but the extracellular vestibules have different shapes and electrostatic properties. Metadynamics simulations and mutagenesis studies revealed that these differences influence the path norepinephrine takes to the orthosteric pocket and contribute to the different association rates and thus different affinities.Subject terms: X-ray crystallography, Molecular biology     

Syntheses and β‐adrenergic binding affinities of (R)‐ and (S)‐fluoronaphthyloxypropanolamines

The β‐adrenergic receptors mediate several physiological processes including heart rate (β₁), bronchodilation (β₂), and lipolysis (β₃). Therefore, selectivity is important for a possible therapeutic agent acting via these receptors. Aryloxypropanolamines are β‐receptor agonists or antagonists, depending on the aryl group and its substituents. We therefore hypothesized that fluorine substitution on the aromatic ring in this class could lead to significant biological effects because of the unique chemical characteristics of fluorine. Because the target compound has a chiral center, we set out to synthesize the two enantiomers so that effects of stereochemistry on biological activity could be evaluated. Syntheses of the enantiomers were performed starting with commercially available fluoronaphthalene and subsequent use of the chiral synthon (2R)‐ or (2S)‐glycidyl 3‐nitrobenzenesulfonate, depending on the desired enantiomer. High‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods were used to characterize %ee. Each enantiomer was synthesized. They exhibited nanomolar binding activities on β‐adrenergic receptors. The (S)‐enantiomer was found to be up to 310 times more potent than the (R). It was also found to be about five‐fold more selective for β₂‐ than for β₁‐receptors. The current report demonstrates the importance of stereochemistry for the fluoroaromatic β‐receptor ligands. Chirality 11:144–148, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

β‐Adrenergic‐induced CD40 overexpression on gingival fibroblasts: Role of PGE2

CD40, a member of the tumour necrosis factor‐α receptor family, is constitutively expressed by cells of haematopoietic and non‐haematopoietic origin, including fibroblasts. Signalling through this receptor molecule regulates inflammatory mediator secretion by many cell types. The work has been performed in healthy subjects and the authors studied, by cellular culture, flow cytometric analysis and ELISA assay, the expression of CD40 and PGE₂ (prostaglandin E₂) generation on gingival fibroblasts stimulated by β‐AR (β‐adrenoceptor) agonists. Herein, the authors demonstrate that β‐AR subtype activation via their own specific agonists markedly increased CD40 expression on human gingival fibroblasts. This effect was prevented by β‐AR subtype‐specific antagonists. In addition, gingival fibroblast β‐AR stimulation resulted in an increase in PGE₂ generation. The inhibition of PLA₂ (phospholipase A₂) and COX‐1 (cyclo‐oxygenase‐1) but not COX‐2 impaired β‐AR increase of PGE₂, an effect that was restored by the addition of low concentrations of PGE₂, suggesting that PGE₂ generation is implicated in the mechanism underlying β‐AR‐agonist‐mediated CD40 overexpression. Our work has revealed an endogenous β‐AR mediator network involving gingival fibroblasts.     

Quantification of ventricular β2‐adrenoceptor density and ligand binding affinity in wild sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka smolts using a novel modification to the tritiated ligand technique

A new, image‐based, tritiated ligand technique for measuring cardiac β₂‐adrenoceptor (β₂‐AR) binding characteristics was developed and validated with adult rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss hearts so that the tissue limitation of traditional receptor binding techniques could be overcome and measurements could be made in hearts nearly 14‐times smaller than previously used. The myocardial cell‐surface (functional) β₂‐AR density of O. nerka smolts sampled at the headwaters of the Chilko River was 54·2 fmol mg protein^?1 and about half of that previously found in return migrating adults of the same population, but still more than twice that of adult hatchery O. mykiss (21·1 fmol mg protein^?1). This technique now opens the possibility of investigating cardiac receptor density in a much wider range of fish species and life stages.     

The deubiquitinases USP33 and USP20 coordinate β2 adrenergic receptor recycling and resensitization

Agonist‐induced ubiquitination of the β₂ adrenergic receptor (β₂AR) functions as an important post‐translational modification to sort internalized receptors to the lysosomes for degradation. We now show that this ubiquitination is reversed by two deubiquitinating enzymes, ubiquitin‐specific proteases (USPs) 20 and 33, thus, inhibiting lysosomal trafficking when concomitantly promoting receptor recycling from the late‐endosomal compartments as well as resensitization of recycled receptors at the cell surface. Dissociation of constitutively bound endogenously expressed USPs 20 and 33 from the β₂AR immediately after agonist stimulation and reassociation on prolonged agonist treatment allows receptors to first become ubiquitinated and then deubiquitinated, thus, providing a ‘trip switch’ between degradative and recycling pathways at the late‐endosomal compartments. Thus, USPs 20 and 33 serve as novel regulators that dictate both post‐endocytic sorting as well as the intensity and extent of β₂AR signalling from the cell surface.     

Assembly of a β2‐adrenergic receptor—GluR1 signalling complex for localized cAMP signalling

Central noradrenergic signalling mediates arousal and facilitates learning through unknown molecular mechanisms. Here, we show that the β₂‐adrenergic receptor (β₂AR), the trimeric G_s protein, adenylyl cyclase, and PKA form a signalling complex with the AMPA‐type glutamate receptor subunit GluR1, which is linked to the β₂AR through stargazin and PSD‐95 and their homologues. Only GluR1 associated with the β₂AR is phosphorylated by PKA on β₂AR stimulation. Peptides that interfere with the β₂AR–GluR1 association prevent this phosphorylation of GluR1. This phosphorylation increases GluR1 surface expression at postsynaptic sites and amplitudes of EPSCs and mEPSCs in prefrontal cortex slices. Assembly of all proteins involved in the classic β₂AR–cAMP cascade into a supramolecular signalling complex and thus allows highly localized and selective regulation of one of its major target proteins.     

Cholesterol‐β1AR interaction versus cholesterol‐β2AR interaction

Two 8‐µs all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations have been performed on the two highly homologous G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) subtypes, β₁‐ and β₂‐adrenergic receptors, which were embedded in a lipid bilayer with randomly dispersed cholesterol molecules. During the simulations, cholesterol molecules accumulate to different surface regions of the two receptors, suggesting the subtype specificity of cholesterol–β‐adrenergic receptor interaction and providing some clues to the physiological difference of the two subtypes. Meanwhile, comparison between the two receptors in interacting with cholesterols shed some new light on general determinants of cholesterol binding to GPCRs. Our results indicate that although the concave surface, charged residues and aromatic residues are important, neither of these stabilizing factors is indispensable for a cholesterol interaction site. Different combinations of these factors lead to the diversified binding modes of cholesterol binding to the receptors. Our long‐time simulations, for the first time, revealed the pathway of a cholesterol molecule entering the consensus cholesterol motif (CCM) site, and the binding process of cholesterol to CCM is accompanied by a side chain flipping of the conserved Trp4.50. Moreover, the simulation results suggest that the I‐/V‐/L‐rich region on the extracellular parts of helix 6 might be an alternatively conserved cholesterol‐binding site for the class‐A GPCRs. Proteins 2014; 82:760–770. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Functional α1‐ and β2‐adrenergic receptors in human osteoblasts

Central (hypothalamic) control of bone mass is proposed to be mediated through β2‐adrenergic receptors (β2‐ARs). While investigations in mouse bone cells suggest that epinephrine enhances both RANKL and OPG mRNA via both β‐ARs and α‐ARs, whether α‐ARs are expressed in human bone cells is controversial. The current study investigated the expression of α1‐AR and β2‐AR mRNA and protein and the functional role of adrenergic stimulation in human osteoblasts (HOBs). Expression of α1B‐ and β2‐ARs was examined by RT‐PCR, immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blot (for α1B‐ARs). Proliferation in HOBs was assessed by ³H‐thymidine incorporation and expression of RANKL and OPG was determined by quantitative RT‐PCR. RNA message for α1B‐ and β2‐ARs was expressed in HOBs and MG63 human osteosarcoma cells. α1B‐ and β2‐AR immunofluorescent localization in HOBs was shown for the first time by deconvolution microscopy. α1B‐AR protein was identified in HOBs by Western blot. Both α1‐agonists and propranolol (β‐blocker) increased HOB replication but fenoterol, a β2‐agonist, inhibited it. Fenoterol nearly doubled RANKL mRNA and this was inhibited by propranolol. The α1‐agonist cirazoline increased OPG mRNA and this increase was abolished by siRNA knockdown of α1B‐ARs in HOBs. These data indicate that both α1‐ARs and β2‐ARs are present and functional in HOBs. In addition to β2‐ARs, α1‐ARs in human bone cells may play a role in modulation of bone turnover by the sympathetic nervous system. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 267–275, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.