Antisense oligonucleotides fail to inhibit the expression of central β adrenergic receptors

A number of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynuleotides (ODNs) targeted to different regions of mRNAs were tested for their ability to inhibit the expression of central β adrenergic receptors (ARs). None of these antisense ODNs reduced β AR density. By contrast, a dopamine D₂ receptor antisense ODN did decrease striatal D2 receptor density. The recovery of β AR density after down-regulation was not altered by any of the antisense ODNs tested. Moreover, the response of rats under a DRL 72-sec schedule to clenbuterol, a β-2 selective AR agonist, was not attenuated by chronic treatment with a β-2 AR antisense ODN.