Suppression of inflammatory and immune responses by the A(2A) adenosine receptor: an introduction

The purine nucleoside adenosine has been described as a 'retaliatory metabolite' by virtue of its ability to function in an autocrine manner to modify the activity of a range of cell types following its extracellular accumulation during cell stress or injury. These effects are largely protective and are triggered by the binding of adenosine to any of four G-protein-coupled adenosine receptors. Most of the anti-inflammatory effects of adenosine have been assigned to the adenosine A(2A) receptor subtype, which is expressed in many immune and inflammatory cells. In this brief article, we will outline the growing evidence to support the hypothesis that the development of agonists selective for the A(2A) receptor is an effective strategy for suppressing the exaggerated inflammatory responses associated with many diseases by virtue of the receptor's ability to inhibit multiple pro-inflammatory signalling cascades.     

Stimulation of nucleoside efflux and inhibition of adenosine kinase by A1 adenosine receptor activation

Adenosine is produced intracellularly during conditions of metabolic stress and is an endogenous agonist for four subtypes of G-protein linked receptors. Nucleoside transporters are membrane-bound carrier proteins that transfer adenosine, and other nucleosides, across biological membranes. We investigated whether adenosine receptor activation could modulate transporter-mediated adenosine efflux from metabolically stressed cells. DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells were incubated with 10 microM [3H]adenine to label adenine nucleotide pools. Metabolic stress with the glycolytic inhibitor iodoacetic acid (1AA, 5 mM) increased tritium release by 63% (P < 0.01), relative to cells treated with buffer alone. The IAA-induced increase was blocked by the nucleoside transport inhibitor nitrobenzylthioinosine (1 microM), indicating that the increased tritium release was primarily a purine nucleoside. HPLC verified this to be [3H]adenosine. The adenosine A1 receptor selective agonist N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA, 300 nM) increased the release of [3H]purine nucleoside induced by IAA treatment by 39% (P < 0.05). This increase was blocked by the A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (10 microM). Treatment of cells with UTP (100 microM), histamine (100 microM), or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA, 10 microM) also increased [3H]purine nucleoside release. The protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine chloride (500 nM) inhibited the increase in [3H]purine nucleoside efflux induced by CHA or PMA treatment. The adenosine kinase activity of cells treated with CHA or PMA was found to be decreased significantly compared with buffer-treated cells. These data indicated that adenosine A1 receptor activation increased nucleoside efflux from metabolically stressed DDT1 MF-2 cells by a PKC-dependent inhibition of adenosine kinase activity.     

Cyclic AMP-dependent inhibition of human neutrophil oxidative activity by substituted 2-propynylcyclohexyl adenosine A(2A) receptor agonists

Novel 2-propynylcyclohexyl-5'-N:-ehtylcarboxamidoadenosines, trans-substituted in the 4-position of the cyclohexyl ring, were evaluated in binding assays to the four subtypes of adenosine receptors (ARs). Two esters, 4-(3-[6-amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3,4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester (ATL146e) and acetic acid 4-(3-[6-amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3, 4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl] -prop-2-ynyl)-cyclohexylmethyl ester (ATL193) were >50 x more potent than 2-[4-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]-5'-N:-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS21680) for human A(2A) AR binding. Human A(2A) AR affinity for substituted cyclohexyl-propynyladenosine analogues was inversely correlated with the polarity of the cyclohexyl side chain. There was a comparable order of potency for A(2A) AR agonist stimulation of human neutrophil [cyclic AMP](i), and inhibition of the neutrophil oxidative burst. ATL146e and CGS21680 were approximately equipotent agonists of human A(3) ARs. We measured the effects of selective AR antagonists on agonist stimulated neutrophil [cyclic AMP](i) and the effect of PKA inhibition on A(2A) AR agonist activity. ATL193-stimulated neutrophil [cyclic AMP](i) was blocked by antagonists with the potency order: ZM241385 (A(2A)-selective)>MRS1220 (A(3)-selective)>N-(4-Cyano-phenyl)-2-[4-(2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-phenoxy]-acetamide (MRS1754; A(2B)-selective) approximately 8-(N-methylisopropyl)amino-N(6)-(5'-endohydroxy-endonorbornyl)-9-methyladenine (WRC0571; A(1)-selective). The type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor, rolipram (100 nM) potentiated ATL193 inhibition of the oxidative burst, and inhibition by ATL193 was counteracted by the PKA inhibitor H-89. The data indicate that activation of A(2A)ARs inhibits neutrophil oxidative activity by activating [cyclic AMP](i)/PKA.     

Specific but noncompetitive inhibition by 2-alkylthio analogues of adenosine 5'-monophosphate and adenosine 5'-triphosphate of human platelet aggregation induced by adenosine 5'-diphosphate.

Some 2-alkylthio derivatives of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), adenosine 5'-monophosphorothioate (AMPS) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) were examined as inhibitors of human platelet aggregation. 2-Methylthio-AMP, 2-ethylthio-AMP, 2-(pentan-l-yl)thio-AMP, 2-ethylthio-AMPS, 2-methylthio-ATP and 2-ethylthio-ATP (100 microM) each inhibited aggregation induced by adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) but not by 11 alpha, 9 alpha-epoxymethano prostaglandin H2, a stable endoperoxide analogue. Log dose-response curves to ADP in the absence and presence of each inhibitor were not parallel and the inhibition could not be overcome by high concentrations of ADP. The ATP analogues achieved greater inhibition of aggregation induced by ADP (5 microM) than did the AMP analogues. The order of potency of the AMP analogues was 2-ethylthio-AMPS greater than 2-ethylthio-AMP greater than 2-(pentan-l-yl)thio-AMP greater than 2-methylthio-AMP, and 2-methylthio-ATP was more potent than 2-ethylthio-ATP. These 2-alkylthio substituted analogues of AMP and ATP are specific but noncompetitive inhibitors of ADP-induced human platelet aggregation.     

Physiological regulation of acute inflammation by A2A adenosine receptor

The activation of Gs‐coupled A_2A adenosine receptor on the surface of immune cells increases levels of immunosuppressive cyclic AMP and leads to inhibition of secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, which, in turn, results in downregulation of acute inflammation. The role of A_2A receptors in the regulation of inflammation appears to be non‐redundant. Small doses of inflammatory stimulus induce high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and extensive tissue injury in A_2A receptor‐deficient (Adora2a^?/?) mice leading to death due to unregulated inflammatory damage. The gene‐dose effect of A_2A receptor expression in T cells suggests that there are no spare A_2A receptors and that the final outcome of immune cell activation may be dependent on the number of these receptors on the individual immune cells. Heterozygous (Adora2a^+/?) mice express decreased levels of A_2A receptor on the surface and adenosine‐induced cAMP‐accumulation of immune cells was lower than in wild‐type. Thus, the number of A_2A receptors determines cAMP response to adenosine and may pre‐determine the immunosuppressive role of adenosine. Drug Dev Res 64:172–177, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Signaling via A2A adenosine receptor in four PC12 cell clones

PC12 cells are genetically labile and so-called wild-type cells comprise multiple subclones. We have examined the A_2A adenosine receptor signal transduction pathways in four such clones (denoted clones 1, 19, 21 and 27) of PC12 cells. Adenosine A_2A, A_2B and A₁ receptor mRNAs were detected in all four clones by RT-PCR, whereas no A₃ receptor mRNA was found. A_2A receptors were quantitated by radioligand binding using the antagonist radioligand [³H]SCH 58261 ([³H]-5-amino-7-(2-phenylethyl)-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4 triazolo [1,5-c] pyrimidine). The B _max was highest in clone 1 followed by clones 21, 19 and 27. Whereas the amount of G_i protein appeared similar in all four clones, the amount of G_s protein was higher in clones 21 and 27 than in the other two clones. Maximal responses to the non-selective adenosine analogue NECA (5’-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine) were similar to those observed with the selective adenosine A_2A receptor agonist CGS 21680 (2-[p-(2-carbonylethyl) phenylethylamino]-5’-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine), and were approximately equal in clones 1 and 21, but lower in clone 19 and very low in clone 27. For both compounds EC₅₀ was significantly higher in clone 27 than in clone 1. In both clones the response to NECA could be competitively antagonized by a selective adenosine A_2A antagonist, SCH 58261. The present results show that different clones of PC12 cells differ widely in the cAMP increase induced by adenosine analogues and that this is due to differences in the amount of adenosine A_2A receptor, G protein and effector. A large difference in receptor number resulted in differences in potency of an agonist. Received: 29 June 1998 / Accepted: 10 November 1998     

1,3,8-trisubstituted xanthines. Effects of substitution pattern upon adenosine receptor A1/A2 affinity

A series of 11 8-substituted xanthines having three different substitution patterns on the 1- and 3-positions [pattern a (R1 = R3 = CH2CH2CH3), b (R1 = CH2CH2CH3, R3 = CH3), and c (R1 = CH3, R3 = CH2CH2CH3)] was prepared. These compounds were assessed for affinity and selectivity in binding to adenosine A1 and A2 receptors. Compounds with greatest affinity at the A1 receptor had the 1,3-substitution pattern a. With one exception, compounds with pattern a also exhibited the most potent binding at the A2 receptor; however, several compounds with pattern c were equipotent at the A2 receptor with those having pattern a. Additionally, the substituents on the 1- and 3-positions of these 8-substituted xanthines were equally important for determining maximum affinity to the A1 receptor, while the substituent at the 3-position is more important than the substituent at the 1-position for potency at the A2 receptor. As a result of this, it is possible to maximize selectivity for the A1 receptor by choice of the 1- and 3-position substituents. However, the R1/R3 substitution pattern required for maximum A1 selectivity is also dependent upon the substituent in the 8-position in a manner which is not fully understood.     

Enhancement of long-term potentiation by brain-derived neurotrophic factor requires adenosine A2A receptor activation by endogenous adenosine

The excitatory action of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on synaptic transmission is triggered by adenosine A2A receptor activation. Since high-frequency neuronal firing, such as that inducing long-term potentiation (LTP), favours both A2A receptor activation and BDNF effects on transmission, we now evaluated the influence of adenosine on the facilitatory action of BDNF upon CA1 hippocampal LTP. theta-Burst stimulation of the pyramidal inputs induced a significant and persistent increase in field EPSP slopes, and this potentiation was augmented in the presence of BDNF (20 ng/ml), an action prevented by the inhibitor of Trk receptor autophosphorylation, K252a (200 nM). Removal of endogenous extracellular adenosine with adenosine deaminase (ADA, 1 U/ml), as well as the antagonism of adenosine A2A receptors with SCH58261 (100 nM), prevented the excitatory action of BDNF upon LTP. In an adenosine depleted background (with ADA), activation of adenosine A2A receptors (with 10nM CGS21680) restored the facilitatory effect of BDNF on LTP; this was fully prevented by the protein kinase A inhibitor, H-89 (1 microM) and mimicked by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin (10 microM). In similar experiments, activation of adenosine inhibitory A1 receptors (with 5 nM CPA) did not affect the facilitatory effect of BDNF. In conclusion, the facilitatory action of BDNF upon hippocampal LTP is critically dependent on the presence of extracellular adenosine and A2A receptor activation through a cAMP/PKA-dependent mechanism. Since extracellular adenosine accumulates upon high-frequency neuronal firing, the present results reveal a key process to allow the influence of BDNF upon synaptic plasticity.     

Mechanism of A2 adenosine receptor activation. I. Blockade of A2 adenosine receptors by photoaffinity labeling

It has previously been shown that covalent incorporation of the photoreactive adenosine derivative (R)-2-azido-N6-p-hydroxy-phenylisopropyladenosine [(R)-AHPIA] into the A1 adenosine receptor of intact fat cells leads to a persistent activation of this receptor, resulting in a reduction of cellular cAMP levels [Mol. Pharmacol. 30:403-409 (1986)]. In contrast, covalent incorporation of (R)-AHPIA into human platelet membranes, which contain only stimulatory A2 adenosine receptors, reduces adenylate cyclase stimulation via these receptors. This effect of (R)-AHPIA is specific for the A2 receptor and can be prevented by the adenosine receptor antagonist theophylline. Binding studies indicate that up to 90% of A2 receptors can be blocked by photoincorporation of (R)-AHPIA. However, the remaining 10-20% of A2 receptors are sufficient to mediate an adenylate cyclase stimulation of up to 50% of the control value. Similarly, the activation via these 10-20% of receptors occurs with a half-life that is only 2 times longer than that in control membranes. This indicates the presence of a receptor reserve, with respect to both the extent and the rate of adenylate cyclase stimulation. These observations require a modification of the models of receptor-adenylate cyclase coupling, which is described in the accompanying paper [Mol. Pharmacol. 39:524-530 (1991)].     

Reduction of postischemic leukocyte-endothelium interaction by adenosine via A2 receptor

Summary The adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium of postcapillary venules hallmarks a key event in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Adenosine has been shown to protect from postischemic reperfusion injury, presumably through inhibition of postischemic leukocyte-endothelial interaction. This study was performed to investigate in vivo by which receptors the effect of adenosine on postischemic leukocyte-endothelium interaction is mediated.The hamster dorsal skinfold model and fluorescence microscopy were used for intravital investigation of red cell velocity, vessel diameter, and leukocyte-endothelium interaction in postcapillary venules of a thin striated skin muscle. Leukocytes were stained in vivo with acridine orange (0.5 mg kg^–1 min^–1 i.v.). Parameters were assessed prior to induction of 4 h ischemia to the muscle tissue and 0.5 h, 2 h, and 24 h after reperfusion. Adenosine, the adenosine A₁-selective agonist 2-chloro-N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA), the A₂-selective agonist CGS 21,680, the non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist xanthine amine congener (XAC), and the adenosine uptake blocker S-(p-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine (NBTI) were infused via jugular vein starting 15 min prior to release of ischemia until 0.5 h after reperfusion.Adenosine and CGS 21,689 significantly reduced postischemic leukocyte-endothelium interaction 0.5 h after reperfusion (p<0.01), while no inhibitory effect was observed with CCPA. Coadministration of XAC blocked the inhibitory effects of adenosine. Infusion of NBTI alone effectively decreased postischemic leukocyte-endothelium interaction.These findings indicate that adenosine reduces postischemic leukocyte-endothelium interaction via A₂ receptor and suggest a protective role of endogenous adenosine during ischemia-reperfusion.Abbreviations AC adhesion coefficient - CAMAS computer-assisted microcirculation analysis system - CCPA 2-chloro-N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine - CGS21,680 2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)-phenethylamino]-5-N-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine - DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide - NBTI S-p-(nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine - RBCV red blood cell velocity - WBCV white blood cell velocity - XAC xanthine amine congener Correspondence to D. Nolte at the above address     

Modification of adenosine extracellular levels and adenosine A(2A) receptor mRNA by dopamine denervation

Adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonists have been proposed as an effective therapy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. To explore the possibility that dopamine denervation may produce modifications in adenosine A(2A) transmission, we measured the extracellular concentration of adenosine and adenosine A(2A) receptor mRNA in the striatum of rats infused unilaterally with 6-hydroxydopamine in the medial forebrain bundle. Fifteen days after 6-hydroxydopamine infusion, extracellular adenosine levels, measured by in vivo microdialysis, were significantly lower (-35%) in the dopamine-denervated striatum. At the time of the decrease in adenosine levels, an increase in striatal adenosine A(2A) receptor mRNA levels (+20%), measured by in situ hybridization, was observed. Modifications in adenosine A(2A) transmission, following nigrostriatal dopamine neuron degeneration, establish a potential neural basis for the effectiveness of adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonists in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.     

ZM 241385, an adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonist, inhibits hippocampal A(1) receptor responses

4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl?1,2,4?-triazolo?2,3a?-?1,3, 5?triazin-5-yl-amino]ethyl)phenol (ZM 241385) has been used as an antagonist of adenosine A(2A) receptors, exhibiting high selectivity over adenosine A(1) receptors. We now report that ZM 241385 (10-50 nM) attenuated the inhibitory action of N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine (10 nM) and R(-)-N(6)-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA, 20 nM), two selective adenosine A(1) receptor agonists, on hippocampal population spike amplitude. This effect is unlikely to be a direct antagonism of adenosine A(1) receptor since the K(i) of ZM 241385 to displace [3H]PIA (2 nM) binding, from hippocampal membranes ranged from 0.8 to 1.9 microM. These results question the usefulness of ZM 241385 to define adenosine A(2A) receptors actions in functional studies.     

Specific inhibition of benzodiazepine receptor binding by some 1,2,3-triazole derivatives

Certain 1,2,3-triazole derivatives were prepared and tested for their ability to displace [3H]diazepam from bovine brain membranes. From these compounds, the quinolytriazole derivatives (14, 15, 16, 17) were clearly the most potent, while the naphthyl- and the naphthyridyl-triazoles were considerably less active. The p-nitrophenyl derivative (15) was the compound that bound with the highest affinity within the quinolyltriazole compounds class. The replacement of the p-nitrophenyl group with other substituents greatly decreased the binding activity. From a Lineweaver-Burk analysis of 11, it appears that the inhibition is competitive.     

Inhibition of mast cell adenosine responsiveness by chronic exposure to adenosine receptor agonists

Mast cell adenosine receptors are up-regulated functionally and numerically by chronic exposure to receptor antagonists, but their response to long-term treatment with receptor agonists has not been studied. To address this issue cultured mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells were exposed to N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine (NECA), an adenosine receptor agonist that augments stimulated mast cell mediator release. Cells grown for 3 days in 1 nM NECA responded normally to A23187 or antigen in releasing beta-hexosaminidase, but the ability of exogenous adenosine to potentiate this mediator release was attenuated markedly. This inhibition of adenosine responsiveness was partially present after 10 min of 1 microM NECA exposure and complete after 4 hr. The inhibitory effects could be reversed by washing NECA-exposed cells and returning them to culture for more than 4 hr. The adenosine present in the fetal calf serum coupled with deoxycoformycin attenuated mast cell adenosine responsiveness. The NECA-treated cells also exhibited a hyporesponsiveness to adenosine's augmentation of cell cyclic AMP content. This hyporesponsiveness was specific for adenosine receptors in that exogenous isoproterenol was able to increase cyclic AMP levels to a similar degree in both control and NECA-treated cells. Thus, chronic NECA exposure induces a homologous desensitization of mast cell adenosine receptors.     

Medicinal chemistry of adenosine A2A receptor agonists

The search for potent and selective A(2A) adenosine receptor agonists has been particularly fruitful in the early nineties. A series of 2-amino, 2-alkoxy, 2-alkythio-, 2-alkynyl-, and 2-alkenyl-derivatives of adenosine (Ado, 1) and N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA, 30) have been synthesized and tested mainly on different model of rat A(1) and A(2A) receptor subtypes. From these studies some ligands, such as CGS 21680 (33), HENECA (42), and (S)-PHPNECA (46b), showed to possess high A(2A) affinity combined with good A(2A) vs A(1) selectivity. More detailed characterization of these ligands at the four cloned human adenosine receptor subtypes revealed that none of the prototypical adenosine receptor agonists exhibits at the same time high affinity and selectivity for the human A(2A)AR subtype. Both NECA and CGS 21680, which are avalaible as radioligands for this subtype, have lower affinity at human than at rat receptor. The 2-alkynylNECA derivatives HENECA an PHPNECA showed high affinity also at human A(3) receptors. In particular, (S)-PHPNECA displayed K(i)s in the low nanomolar range at A(1), A(2A), and A(3)subtypes and an EC(50) of 220 nM at human A(2B) receptor. On the other hand, it is now well known that the coronary vasodilation induced by Ado in different species is mediated by activation of A(2A)AR and a compound capable of producing coronary vasodilation through activation of A(2A)AR, but that is devoid of A(1)- and A(1)-agonist activity would have advantage over Ado for use in myocardial perfusion imaging studies. Other potential therapeutic applications of selective A(2A)AR agonists are as anti-aggregatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-psychotic, and anti-Huntington's disease agents. This review is aimed at presenting a complete overview of the medicinal chemistry development of A(2A) adenosine receptor agonists and at stressing the strong need for more selective ligands at A(2A) human subtype.     

Medicinal chemistry of A2A adenosine receptor antagonists

Due to the clearly demonstrated receptor-receptor interaction between adenosine A(2A) and dopamine D(2) receptors in the basal ganglia, the discovery and development of potent and selective A(2A)adenosine receptor antagonists became, in the last ten years, an attractive field of research to discovery new drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinsons disease. Different compounds have been deeply investigated as A(2A) adenosine receptor antagonists, which could be classified in two great families: xanthine derivatives and nitrogen poliheterocyclic systems. These studies led to the discovery of some highly potent and selective A(2A) adenosine receptor antagonists such as ZM241385, SCH58261 and some xanthine derivatives (KW6002), which have been used as pharmacological tools for studying this receptor subtype. However, those compounds showed some problems that do not permit their use in clinical studies, such as poor water solubility (SCH58261, and xanthine derivatives) or good affinity for A(2B) adenosine receptor subtype (ZM241385). In the last few years great efforts have been made to overcome these problems, trying to optimize not only the pharmacological profile but also the pharmacokinetic character of this class of compounds. The aim of this report is to briefly summarize the recent progress made in this attractive field of research.     

Neuroprotection by caffeine and adenosine A2A receptor blockade of beta-amyloid neurotoxicity

Adenosine is a neuromodulator in the nervous system and it has recently been observed that pharmacological blockade or gene disruption of adenosine A(2A) receptors confers neuroprotection under different neurotoxic situations in the brain. We now observed that coapplication of either caffeine (1-25 micro M) or the selective A(2A) receptor antagonist, 4-(2-[7-amino-2(2-furyl)(1,2,4)triazolo (2,3-a)(1,3,5)triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl)phenol (ZM 241385, 50 nM), but not the A receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyltheophylline (200 nM), prevented the neuronal cell death caused by exposure of rat cultured cerebellar granule neurons to fragment 25-35 of beta-amyloid protein (25 micro M for 48 h), that by itself caused a near three-fold increase of propidium iodide-labeled cells. This constitutes the first in vitro evidence to suggest that adenosine A(2A) receptors may be the molecular target responsible for the observed beneficial effects of caffeine consumption in the development of Alzheimer's disease.     

Biophysical mapping of the adenosine A2A receptor

A new approach to generating information on ligand receptor interactions within the binding pocket of G protein-coupled receptors has been developed, called Biophysical Mapping (BPM). Starting from a stabilized receptor (StaR), minimally engineered for thermostability, additional single mutations are then added at positions that could be involved in small molecule interactions. The StaR and a panel of binding site mutants are captured onto Biacore chips to enable characterization of the binding of small molecule ligands using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurement. A matrix of binding data for a set of ligands versus each active site mutation is then generated, providing specific affinity and kinetic information (K(D), k(on), and k(off)) of receptor-ligand interactions. This data set, in combination with molecular modeling and docking, is used to map the small molecule binding site for each class of compounds. Taken together, the many constraints provided by these data identify key protein-ligand interactions and allow the shape of the site to be refined to produce a high quality three-dimensional picture of ligand binding, thereby facilitating structure based drug design. Results of biophysical mapping of the adenosine A(2A) receptor are presented.