Adenosine Receptors

The Science of Adenosine

The effects of adenosine serve as the basis for many of our research and development programs. Adenosine, a small, naturally occurring molecule in the body, promotes different actions in many organs, including the heart. The responses achieved by the activation or blockade of specific adenosine receptors translate into the foundations for many of our clinical and preclinical scientific programs. Activation of these receptors initiates cascades of cellular biochemical events that result in specific changes of important cell functions, such as ion transport, electrical and contractile activity, and secretion of hormones and other small molecules.

Scientists at CV Therapeutics are developing novel drug candidates that either mimic or prevent the actions of adenosine. Adenosine acts on four different types of “receptors.” Each receptor type (A₁, A_2A, A_2B, or A₃) is only found on cells in certain tissues. When activated by adenosine, each receptor type initiates an effect or response that is specific to that receptor or tissue.

We target specific adenosine receptors that can either make use of the beneficial effects of adenosine or counteract its unwanted effects. Each of these specific targets may one day help patients who suffer from a variety of cardiovascular and/or cardiopulmonary conditions. To learn more about the adenosine receptors we study, please select one of the following:

A₁-adenosine receptor target
A_2A-adenosine receptor target
A_2B-adenosine receptor target