Role of urotensin II in peripheral tissue as an autocrine/paracrine growth factor.
Urotensin II (UII), originally isolated from goby urophysis, has been shown to be an endogenous ligand for an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR14. Recent development of PCR quantitative method revealed that UII and UT receptor (GPR14) were expressed in a broad range of tissues and organs, including cardiovascular and renal system, and assumed to function as an autocrine/paracrine factor. UII is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide, whose potency is greater than any other vasoconstrictors thus far known. However, its physiological roles have been found to extend far beyond the regulation of vascular tone. In this review, we focused on the mitogenic action of UII and discuss its underlying cellular mechanisms and potential physiological/pathophysiological role in various human diseases.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Endocrinology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.
Takanobu
T
Yoshimoto
Mika
M
Matsushita
Yukio
Y
Hirata
D000818:Animals; D006332:Cardiomegaly; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009928:Organ Specificity; D014579:Urotensins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction
D006133:Growth Substances; D014579:Urotensins; C029677:urotensin II