Brain renin-angiotensin system. Lessons from functional genomics.
The existence of a brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was postulated 30 years ago. Since then our knowledge on the biology of the brain RAS has advanced considerably. The brain RAS has been found to be involved in the modulation of cardiovascular and fluid-electrolyte homeostasis, generally complementing the classical roles of the endocrine RAS. The RAS has additionally been implicated in other brain-specific functions, such as memory, cognition and stress. During the last years, the development of transgenic technologies allowed to get further insight into the functionality and relevance of the brain RAS. This paper is attempting to summarize our recent experience from transgenic animals.
Baltatu
Ovidiu
O
Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany. baltatu@mdc-berlin.de
Bader
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D004326:Drinking / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D013894:Thirst; D013997:Time Factors; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance