title: Factor XIIIA (cross)links AT1 receptors to atherosclerosis.
abstract: Angiotensin II, a small peptide hormone that plays key roles in the regulation of blood pressure, also contributes to inflammatory processes that promote the development of atherosclerosis. In this issue of Cell, AbdAlla et al. (2004) provide evidence that pathogenic actions of angiotensin II involve covalent crosslinking of angiotensin AT1 receptors by factor XIIIA transglutaminase, resulting in stable receptor dimers with enhanced signaling properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Sumito
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Glass
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000378:metabolism*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D026122:Factor XIIIa / Q000378:metabolism*; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D000804:Angiotensin II; D026122:Factor XIIIa