title: New targets for renal interstitial fibrosis: relaxin family peptide receptor 1-angiotensin type 2 receptor heterodimers.
abstract: The signal transduction mechanisms involved in the renoprotective effects of relaxin are not well understood. Chow et al. demonstrate that relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) forms heterodimer complexes with the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2), even in the absence of ligand, and that these heterodimers are required for relaxin's antifibrotic effects. These findings identify a previously unknown link between relaxin and angiotensin II signaling that could be a potential new target for slowing the progression of fibrotic renal diseases.
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
authors: Jennifer M
authors: JM
authors: Sasser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012065:Relaxin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D012065:Relaxin