Characterization of alpha 2-adrenoceptor subtypes in the porcine eye: identification of alpha 2A-adrenoceptors in the choroid, ciliary body and iris, and alpha 2A- and alpha 2C-adrenoceptors in the retina.

The subtypes of alpha 2-adrenoceptor were characterized in the choroid, ciliary body, iris and retina of the pig eye by using radioligand binding. [3H]-MK912 labelled dense populations of alpha 2A-adrenoceptors in the choroid and ciliary body. In the retina, [3H]-MK912 labelled both alpha 2A- and alpha 2C-adrenoceptors. In the iris, receptors of the alpha 2A-adrenoceptor type were detected by using either [3H]-MK912 or [3H]-RX821002 as radioligands.