This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid, vectors, transformed mammalian cells and non-human transgenic animals that encode and express normal or mutant alpha 1a, alpha 1b and alpha 1c adrenergic receptor genes. This invention also provides a protein, and an antibody directed to the protein and pharmaceutical compounds related to alpha 1a, alpha 1b and alpha 1c adrenergic receptors. This invention provides nucleic acid probes, and antisense oligonucleotides complementary to alpha 1a, alpha 1b and alpha 1c adrenergic receptor genes. This invention further provides methods for determining ligand binding, detecting expression, drug screening, and treatments for alleviating abnormalities associated with human alpha 1a, alpha 1b and alpha 1c adrenergic receptors.