Receptor Affinity

The potency of a pharmacologic agent is determined in part by its affinity—ie, the attractive force between the agonist and its receptor.

  • An agonist with high affinity binds readily to its receptor and remains bound, eliciting a prolonged response1
  • An agonist with low affinity binds less tightly to its receptor and disassociates quickly, causing a physiologic response that terminates rapidly1

High affinity low affinity

Lexiscan is the first selective A2A adenosine receptor agonist.2,3 The affinity of Lexiscan for the A2A adenosine receptor determines its duration of coronary vasodilation.1

  • Lexiscan has a relatively low affinity (Ki≈1.3 µM) for the A2A adenosine receptor1,3
  • Its affinity for the A1 adenosine receptor is at least 10-fold lower, and it has weak, if any, affinity for the A2B and A3 adenosine receptors3

REFERENCES
1. Gao Z, Li Z, Baker SP, et al. Novel short-acting A2A adenosine receptor agonists for coronary vasodilation: inverse relationship between affinity and duration of action of A2A agonists. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001;298:209-218.
2. Palle VP, Elzein EO, Gothe SA, et al. Structure-affinity relationships of the affinity of 2-pyrazolyl adenosine analogues for the adenosine A2A receptor. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2002;12:2935-2939.
3. Lexiscan (regadenoson) injection [package insert]. Deerfield, IL: Astellas Pharma US, Inc.

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