Adenosine A2a receptor

The adenosine A2a receptor, also known as ADORA2A, is an adenosine receptor, but also denotes the human gene encoding it.

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Biochemistry
The gene encodes a protein which is one of several receptor subtypes for adenosine. The activity of the encoded protein, a G-protein coupled receptor family member, is mediated by G proteins which activate adenylyl cyclase. The encoded protein is abundant in basal ganglia, vasculature and platelets and it is a major target of caffeine. }}

Function
As with the A1, the A2a receptors are believed to play a role in regulating myocardial oxygen consumption and coronary blood flow.

The A2a receptor is responsible for regulating myocardial blood flow by vasodilating the coronary arteries, which increases blood flow to the myocardium, but may lead to hypotension. Just as in A1 receptors, this normally serves as a protective mechanism, but may be destructive in altered cardiac function.

Recent research on adenosine receptor function, and adenosine receptor antagonists such as theophylline has led to several randomized controlled trials using these receptor antagonists to treat bradyasystolic arrest.

Agonists and antagonists
Specific antagonists include KW6002 and SCH-58261, while specific agonists include CGS21680 and ATL-146e.