title: Angiotensin type 2 receptors: potential importance in the regulation of blood pressure.
abstract: The angiotensin type 2 receptor is one of two major angiotensin II receptors that has been identified, cloned and sequenced. The other major receptor, the angiotensin type 1 receptor, is thought to mediate most of the biological responses to the peptide. The angiotensin type 2 receptor is expressed heavily in fetal tissues, but only at a low level in the adult. Documented angiotensin type 2 receptor expression sites in the adult include kidney, heart and mesenteric blood vessels. The function of the angiotensin type 2 receptor is just beginning to be explored. Most of the evidence suggests that the angiotensin type 2 receptor mediates a vasodilator signalling cascade that includes bradykinin, nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine 5-monophosphate. At least some of the beneficial actions of angiotensin type 1 receptor blockade, such as hypotension, are mediated by stimulation of the angiotensin type 2 receptor. Several recent papers suggest that angiotensin type 2 receptors, presumably located in systemic blood vessels, mediate vasodilation and hypotension. The angiotensin type 2 receptor may be a new therapeutic target and candidate gene for the pathophysiology of hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA. hms7a@virginia.edu
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Siragy
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Carey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin