title: Physiology of the vasopressin receptors.
abstract: This review article summarizes the structure, signalling pathways, and tissue distribution of the vasopressin receptors, V1 vascular, V2 renal, V3 pituitary, and oxytocin receptors, as well as the P2 class of purinoceptors. The physiological effects of vasopressin on its receptors are described. The future direction with regard to the role of the V1a receptor in circulatory shock states is discussed; further studies with V1a receptor agonists are warranted to further develop treatment strategies to reduce mortality in life threatening diseases like septic shock.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas Medical Branch and Shriners Burns Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Investigational Intensive Care Unit, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0833, USA.
authors.forename: Marc O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Maybauer
authors.forename: Dirk M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Maybauer
authors.forename: Perenlei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Enkhbaatar
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Traber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin