title: AT1 receptors as mechanosensors.
abstract: G-protein-coupled receptors are appreciated as central components of neurohormonal signaling. Recently, it turned out that they may also play a role in mechanotransduction. The angiotensin II AT(1) receptor was the first G-protein-coupled receptor claimed to be a mechanosensor. In the meantime, several other G(q/11)-coupled receptors were found to be sensitive to mechanical stimuli. Furthermore, there is first evidence to support the concept that G(i/o)-coupled receptors are susceptible to mechanical stimulation as well. Mechanical receptor activation appears to be agonist-independent and is initiated by a conformational change of the receptor protein discernible from agonist-bound conformations. Mechanically induced receptor activation plays a physiological role for myogenic vasoconstriction and is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy.
authors.affiliation: Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Goethestr. 33, 80336 Munich, Germany. mederos@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mederos y Schnitzler
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Storch
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gudermann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D049449:Luminescence; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled