This is a project to examine some of the processes by which blood pressure is regulated. Normally, the brain sends messages to arteries and veins through nerves. Activation of these nerves causes the blood vessels to contract by releasing a chemical messenger, norepinephrine. The receptor molecules for norepinephrine which are on the surface of the muscle cells in the blood vessels will be studied. Dr. Minneman has previously shown that there are several different types of such receptors, which are affected differently by various drugs. He will now study the molecular mechanisms by which these different receptor types cause the blood vessels to contract. He is particularly interested in whether these receptors are acting through different mechanisms to cause contraction, as is suggested by preliminary results. Identification of these different mechanisms will be important in understanding more about how blood pressure is regulated, and in helping to identify ways to selectively control blood pressure. //
