Heterogeneity of angiotensin synthetic pathways and receptor subtypes: physiological and pharmacological implications.

AIM: To examine the nature of multiple putative enzymatic pathways, review the evidence of angiotensin receptor heterogeneity and speculate on the implications for physiology and pharmacology. METHOD: Literature review and discussion of current research. RESULTS: New information on the renin-angiotensin system suggests that the pathways of angiotensin production are complex and that multiple receptor subtypes mediate angiotensin actions. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in structure and tissue distribution of different subtypes of angiotensin receptor may explain differences in receptor regulation in various tissues. The type 2 receptor may be primarily an embryonic receptor involved with cell differentiation and growth and may be induced in disease states. The existence of angiotensin receptor subtypes provides an opportunity for the development of receptor-specific antagonists.

Duke Scholars

Author Victor J. Dzau Medicine, Cardiology