The angiotensin II receptors mediate the effects of the renin-angiotensin system, which has an important role in cardiovascular (patho)physiology. Four types of angiotensin receptors are known, of which the type 1 (AT1) and the type 2 (AT2) receptors are the most important. Stimulation of the AT1 receptor leads to a cascade of signalling pathways in several cell types, which finally leads to pr...

IT IS AXIOMATIC THAT PEPTIDE hormones bind to cognate receptors on target cells, with the resultant generation of intracellular second messengers. Not as well known is the fact that a large and growing body of evidence indicates that extracellular signaling peptides, such as hormones and growth factors, also appear, in some cases, to operate in the interiors of cells after internalization or re...

The existence and the properties of angiotensin II receptors in the adult bovine and human corpus callosum (CC) were investigated by using Xenopus oocytes and primary glial cell cultures. In oocytes injected with CC mRNA, angiotensin II elicited oscillatory Cl- currents due to activation of the inositol phosphate/Ca(2+)-receptor-channel coupling system. The receptors expressed in oocytes and in...

The binding of125I-labeled [Sar1,Ile8]angiotensin II to the hypothalamic membranes of the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) and the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) was studied. Displacement experiments with four centrally active angiotensins, losartan, and PD-123319 confirm the known existence of angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptors in the rat hypothalamus. The values of the inhibitory cons...

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the most dominant effector component of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) that generally acts through binding to two main classes G protein–coupled receptors, namely Ang subtype 1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin 2 (AT2R). Despite some controversial reports, activation AT2R antagonizes effects on AT1R. Studying signaling, function, its specific ligands in cell culture or ...

Hemodynamic responses to angiotensin II and the role of AT1 and AT2 receptors and the autonomic nervous system in mediating acute responses to angiotensin II were investigated in anesthetized CD1 mice. Injections of angiotensin II caused dose-related increases in systemic arterial pressure that were antagonized by candesartan. Pressor responses to angiotensin II were not altered by PD-123,319 i...

Vasodilator and vasodepressor properties of angiotensins have been reported, and mediation by prostaglandins or nitric oxide has been proposed. Other studies indicate that angiotensin AT(2) receptors might mediate a depressor action, and the present study was designed to delineate and explore this possibility in a conscious rabbit model. Large intravenous boluses of angiotensin III (15 nmol/kg)...

Angiotensin (Ang) II exerts its important physiological functions through 2 distinct receptor subtypes, type 1 (AT(1)) and type 2 (AT(2)) receptors. Recently, new evidence has accumulated showing the existence of several novel receptor interacting proteins and various angiotensin II receptor activation mechanisms beyond the classical actions of receptors for Ang II. These associated proteins co...

The localization of the two type 1 angiotensin II receptor subtype (AT1A and AT1B) messenger RNAs in the 19-day-old rat fetus was studied by in situ hybridization. AT1 receptor mRNAs were detected in target organs of the renin-angiotensin system such as the kidney, adrenal gland, liver, heart, large arteries, and pituitary gland. In addition, angiotensin II receptors were present in specialized...

The angiotensin II-induced vasodilatation was evaluated in rat middle cerebral artery, especially regarding endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factor (EDHF), by use of a pressurised arteriograph. The angiotensin II dilatation was partly antagonised by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and cyclo-oxygenase. The remaining dilatation was inhibited by the potassium channel blockers, charybdotoxin...