The cardiovascular and other actions of angiotensin II (Ang II) are mediated by AT(1) and AT(2) receptors, which are seven transmembrane glycoproteins with 30% sequence similarity. Most species express a single autosomal AT(1) gene, but two related AT(1A) and AT(1B) receptor genes are expressed in rodents. AT(1) receptors are predominantly coupled to G(q/11), and signal through phospholipases A, C, D, inositol phosphates, calcium channels, and a variety of serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases. Many AT(1)-induced growth responses are mediated by transactivation of growth factor receptors. The receptor binding sites for agonist and nonpeptide antagonist ligands have been defined. The latter compounds are as effective as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in cardiovascular diseases but are better tolerated. The AT(2) receptor is expressed at high density during fetal development. It is much less abundant in adult tissues and is up-regulated in pathological conditions. Its signaling pathways include serine and tyrosine phosphatases, phospholipase A(2), nitric oxide, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate. The AT(2) receptor counteracts several of the growth responses initiated by the AT(1) and growth factor receptors. The AT(4) receptor specifically binds Ang IV (Ang 3-8), and is located in brain and kidney. Its signaling mechanisms are unknown, but it influences local blood flow and is associated with cognitive processes and sensory and motor functions. Although AT(1) receptors mediate most of the known actions of Ang II, the AT(2) receptor contributes to the regulation of blood pressure and renal function. The development of specific nonpeptide receptor antagonists has led to major advances in the physiology, pharmacology, and therapy of the renin-angiotensin system.

https://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/pharmrev/52/3/415.full.pdf

International Union of Pharmacology. XXIII. The Angiotensin II Receptors

A growing body of evidence supports the notion that angiotensin II (Ang II), the central product of the renin-angiotensin system, may play a central role not only in the etiology of hypertension but also in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular and renal diseases in humans. In this review, we focus on the role of Ang II in cardiovascular and renal diseases at the molecular and cellular levels and discuss up-to-date evidence concerning the in vitro and in vivo actions of Ang II and the pharmacological effects of angiotensin receptor antagonists in comparison with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Ang II, via AT(1) receptor, directly causes cellular phenotypic changes and cell growth, regulates the gene expression of various bioactive substances (vasoactive hormones, growth factors, extracellular matrix components, cytokines, etc.), and activates multiple intracellular signaling cascades (mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades, tyrosine kinases, various transcription factors, etc.) in cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts, vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and renal mesangial cells. These actions are supposed to participate in the pathophysiology of cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling, heart failure, vascular thickening, atherosclerosis, and glomerulosclerosis. Furthermore, in vivo recent evidence suggest that the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and activator protein-1 by Ang II may play the key role in cardiovascular and renal diseases. However, there are still unresolved questions and controversies on the mechanism of Ang II-mediated cardiovascular and renal diseases.

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Angiotensin II-Mediated Cardiovascular and Renal Diseases

Fitzsimons, J. T. Angiotensin, Thirst, and Sodium Appetite. Physiol. Rev. 78: 583–686, 1998. — Angiotensin (ANG) II is a powerful and phylogenetically widespread stimulus to thirst and sodium appet...

Angiotensin, Thirst, and Sodium Appetite

Angiotensin II elicits different responses which affect cardiovascular, neuronal and electrolyte transport regulation. To understand the mechanisms responsible for its various actions, the receptor for angiotensin II has long been sought, but numerous attempts to purify the receptor have been unsuccessful owing to its instability and low concentration. We report here the expression cloning of a complementary DNA encoding a bovine angiotensin II receptor to overcome these difficulties. The receptor cDNA encodes a protein of 359 amino-acid residues with a transmembrane topology similar to that of other G protein-coupled receptors. COS-7 cells transfected with the cDNA expressed specific and high-affinity binding sites for angiotensin II, angiotensin II antagonist and a non-peptide specific antagonist for type-1 receptor. Dithiothreitol inhibited ligand binding. The concentration of intracellular Ca2+ and of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate increased in the transfected COS-7 cells in response to angiotensin II or angiotensin III, indicating that this receptor is the type-1 receptor for angiotensin II. Northern blot analysis revealed that the messenger RNA for this receptor is expressed in bovine adrenal medulla, cortex and kidney.

Cloning and expression of a complementary DNA encoding a bovine adrenal angiotensin II type-1 receptor

Expression cloning of type 2 angiotensin II receptor reveals a unique class of seven-transmembrane receptors.

Identification of angiotensin II receptor subtypes

Substituted imidazoles of formula (I) are useful as angiotensin II blockers. These compounds have activity in treating hypertension and congestive heart failure.

Fused-ring aryl substituted imidazoles

There are provided novel bis-napthalimide compounds useful as antitumor agents, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and processes for preparing intermediates to such compounds.

Bis-naphthalimides as anticancer agents

Provided are 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo(4,5-c)-pyridine derivatives, methods for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and methods of using them to treat disorders of mammals mediated by AII type-2 receptors in the central nervous system.

Treatment of CNS disorders with 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo (4,5-)-pyridines and analogs

Substituted imidazoles (1) are useful as angiotensin II blockers. These compounds have activity in treating hypertension and congestive heart failure. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the novel imidazoles and pharmaceutical methods using them, alone and in conjunction with other drugs, especially diuretics and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID's) are also described.

Robert John Ardecky

Papers

Identification of angiotensin II receptor subtypes

Fused-ring aryl substituted imidazoles

Bis-naphthalimides as anticancer agents

Treatment of CNS disorders with 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo (4,5-)-pyridines and analogs

Substituted imidazoles useful as angiotensin ii blockers