Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of biased agonism at the adenosine A1 receptor

The adenosine A1 receptor has been explored as a drug target for heart attack. Despite this, no drugs that target this receptor have been approved for clinical use because in addition to protecting the heart, activation of this drug target also causes the severe slowing of heart rate. Recently compounds have been identified which can protect the heart but avoid these effects on heart rate. However, it is not know how they can avoid having effects on heart rate. This thesis examines how these compounds can achieve this unique profile. By testing how these compounds behave in cells, this thesis provided a framework to explain how they work. It is likely this will facilitate the design of novel drugs for the adenosine A1 receptor.