The nucleoside adenosine inhibits intracellular microvascular α2C-adrenoceptor surface trafficking

•Under cellular stress conditions microvascular α2C-adrenoceptors translocate to cell surface via protein interactions with filamin-2 and elicit a biological response of vasoconstriction.•Computational modelling and compound screening studies predicted the nucleoside adenosine as a potent inhibitor of α2C-adrenoceptor protein interactions.•Experimental testing of this hypothesis was performed in murine tail artery explants, which showed a biological effect of adenosine to inhibit intracellular receptor trafficking.•This study identifies a mechanism of action of adenosine on the peripheral circulation which was previously unknown.