Adenosine modulates alpha2-adrenergic receptors through a phospholipase C pathway in brainstem cell culture of rats

Adenosine acts in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), one of the main brain sites related to cardiovascular control. In the present study we show that A1 adenosine receptor (A1R) activation promotes an increase on alpha2-adrenoceptor (Alpha2R) binding in brainstem cell culture from newborn rats. We investigated the intracellular cascade involved in such modulatory process using different intracellular signaling molecule inhibitors as well as calcium chelators. Phospholipase C, protein kinase Ca2+-dependent, IP3 receptor and intracellular calcium were shown to participate in A1R/Alpha2R interaction. In conclusion, this result might be important to understand the role of adenosine within the NTS regarding autonomic cardiovascular control.