Adrenergic Receptors: Data and Programs on the Internet

Abstract

Abstract The adrenergic receptors belong to a gene superfamily whose members share a great deal of sequence homology. To date, over 60 members of this superfamily have been cloned and sequenced. Ready access to this wealth of sequence information, together with the software tools to analyze it, can facilitate experimental design and interpretation as well as expedite the realization of experimental goals. Many investigators have one or more computers connected to the Internet, often for no purpose other than to exchange electronic mail (e-mail) or to utilize the file-serving capabilities of a Novell network. These investigators are, to a large extent, unaware of the extensive resources that the Internet offers. The aim of this article is to facilitate utilization of the Internet, particularly as a tool to aid in the study of adrenergic receptors, and to guide the readers exploration of this resource. Although the Internet may at first appear to be an unfathomable morass of information, the simple command "help" can often be used to guide one′s path. Wherever possible, the reader is directed to retrieve the latest documentation on each topic directly from the Internet.