Alpha-adrenergic receptors regulate human lymphocyte amiloride-sensitive sodium channels

The hypothesis that alpha-1- and alpha-2-adrenergic receptors independently regulate lymphocyte amiloride-sensitive sodium channels (ASSC) by utilizing cAMP as a second messenger and by utilizing a GTP-binding protein was investigated. Direct measurements revealed that norepinephrine increased lymphocyte cAMP and activated ASSCs. Terazosin had no effect on the lymphocyte whole cell ASSC currents. This result implied the association between alpha-1-adrenergic receptors to lymphocyte ASSC regulation via GTP-binding proteins.