International Union of Pharmacology. XXIII. The Angiotensin II Receptors

Abstract

The cardiovascular and other actions of angiotensin II (Ang II) are mediated by AT1 and AT2 receptors, which are seven transmembrane glycoproteins with 30% sequence similarity. Most species express a single autosomal AT1 gene, but two related AT1A and AT1B receptor genes are expressed in rodents. AT1 receptors are predominantly coupled to Gq/11, and signal through phospholipases A, C, D, inositol phosphates, calcium channels, and a variety of serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases. Many AT1-induced growth responses are mediated by transactivation of growth factor receptors. The receptor binding sites for agonist and nonpeptide antagonist ligands have been defined. The latter compounds are as effective as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in cardiovascular diseases but are better tolerated. The AT2receptor is expressed at high density during fetal development. It is much less abundant in adult tissues and is up-regulated in pathological conditions. Its signaling pathways include serine and tyrosine phosphatases, phospholipase A2, nitric oxide, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate. The AT2 receptor counteracts several of the growth responses initiated by the AT1 and growth factor receptors. The AT4 receptor specifically binds Ang IV (Ang 3–8), and is located in brain and kidney. Its signaling mechanisms are unknown, but it influences local blood flow and is associated with cognitive processes and sensory and motor functions. Although AT1 receptors mediate most of the known actions of Ang II, the AT2 receptor contributes to the regulation of blood pressure and renal function. The development of specific nonpeptide receptor antagonists has led to major advances in the physiology, pharmacology, and therapy of the renin-angiotensin system.

Footnotes

  • 1 Address for correspondence: Marc de Gasparo, Novartis Pharma AG, Metabolic & Cardiovascular Diseases, WKL 121-210, P.O. Box 4200, Basel, Switzerland. E-mail:marc.de_gasparo{at}pharma.Novartis.com and m.de_gasparo{at}bluewin.ch(after October 1, 2000)

  • 3 Members of the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Angiotensin Receptors: R. Wayne Alexander, Kenneth E. Bernstein, Andrew T. Chiu, Theodore Goodfriend, Joseph W. Harding, Ahsan Hussain, Pieter B. M. W. M. Timmermans.

  • Abbreviations:
    ACE
    angiotensin converting enzyme
    NC-IUPHAR
    International Union of Pharmacology Committee on Receptor Nomenclature and Drug Classification
    GPCR
    G protein-coupled receptor
    GTPγS
    guanosine 5′-3-O-(thio)triphosphate
    PKC
    protein kinase C
    kb
    kilobase(s)
    bp
    base pair(s)
    RT-PCR
    reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction
    IGF-1
    insulin-like growth factor 1
    NO
    nitric oxide
    NOS
    NO synthase
    VSMC
    vascular smooth muscle cell(s)
    MAPK
    mitogen-activated protein kinase
    EPO
    erythropoietin
    CHO
    Chinese hamster ovary
    TMD
    transmembrane domain
    PKB
    protein kinase B
    EGF
    epidermal growth factor
    GAP
    GTPase-activating protein
    PDGF
    platelet-derived growth factor
    JNK
    c-Jun N-terminal kinase
    PAK
    p21-activated kinase
    PLC
    phospholipase
    SFO
    subfornical organ
    OVLT
    organum vasculosum lamina terminales
    ACTH
    adrenocorticotropin
    APA
    aminopeptidase A
    APN
    aminopeptidase N
    GnRH
    gonadotropin-releasing hormone
    DTT
    dithiothreitol
    CHAPS
    3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonic acid
    MKP-1
    MAPK-phosphatase-1
    PTP
    phosphotyrosine phosphatase
    PGE2
    prostaglandin E2
    IL
    interleukin
    IRS
    insulin response sequence
    IRF
    interferon regulatory factor
    NGF
    nerve growth factor
    NBC
    Na+/HCO symporter system
    NHE
    Na+/H+-exchanger
    PAI
    plasminogen activator inhibitor
    Ang
    angiotensin
    l-NAME
    Nω-nitro-l-arginine
    AP-1
    activator protein-1
    ERK
    extracellular signal-regulated kinase
    TMD
    transmembrane domain
    JAK
    Janus cytosolic protein kinase
    STAT
    signal transducers and activators of transcription
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