2-Cl-IB-MECA is a potent and selective agonist of A3 adenosine receptor (ADORA3, Ki=0.33nM). Selective over A1 and A2 receptors by 2500- and 1400-fold, respectively. ADORA3 has been implicated in cardioprotective functions during ischemia, neuroprotection and neurodegeneration, as well as cell proliferation and cell death mediation.