Angiotensin-(1-7) and the renin-angiotensin system.
OBJECTIVE
In this review we will focus on the recent findings related to angiotensin-(1-7) as an angiotensin II counter-regulatory peptide within the renin-angiotensin system.


RESULTS
The identification of the angiotensin-converting enzyme homologue ACE2 as an angiotensin peptide processing enzyme and of Mas as a receptor for angiotensin-(1-7) has contributed to establishing this heptapeptide as a biologically active member of the renin-angiotensin system cascade.


CONCLUSIONS
The previously unsuspected complexity of the renin-angiotensin system, unmasked by novel findings, has revealed new possibilities for exploring its physiological and pathophysiological roles. In addition, the ACE2-angiotensin-(1-7)-Mas axis may be seriously considered as a putative target for the development of new cardiovascular drugs.
Santos
Robson A S
RA
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. marrob@ciclope.lcc.ufmg.br
Ferreira
Anderson J
AJ
D000803:Angiotensin I / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000502:physiology*; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000502:physiology; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D000803:Angiotensin I; C118790:angiotensin I (1-7)