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Angiotensin receptors--evolutionary overview and perspectives
1Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 894 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. nishimur@physio1.utmem.edu
Summary
Angiotensin receptors (AT receptors) show evolutionary diversity across vertebrates. These receptors, crucial for physiological functions, likely evolved from a common ancestor, with subtypes diverging over time.
Area of Science:
- Comparative physiology and molecular biology
- Evolutionary biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Angiotensin molecules and their receptors (AT receptors) are conserved across vertebrates, playing vital physiological roles.
- Previous research identified AT receptor subtypes through physiological, pharmacological, and molecular cloning studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary diversity and phylogenetic relationships of angiotensin receptors (AT receptors) across different vertebrate species.
- To characterize the presence and homology of AT receptor subtypes in non-mammalian vertebrates.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of angiotensin receptor structures and sequences across vertebrate taxa.
- Physiological and pharmacological characterization of AT receptors.
- Molecular cloning of AT receptors from various species.
Main Results:
- An AT receptor subtype homologous to mammalian AT(1) is found in amphibians and birds, but is pharmacologically distinct.
- AT receptors cloned from teleosts exhibit low homology to both mammalian AT(1) and AT(2) receptor subtypes.
- Unique AT receptors, differing from AT(1) and AT(2) homologues, exist in some non-mammalian species.
Conclusions:
- The prototype AT receptor likely evolved in early vertebrates and subsequently diverged into multiple subtypes.
- Significant evolutionary divergence of AT receptor subtypes occurred throughout vertebrate phylogeny.
- Phenotypic modulation of AT receptors may occur during individual development and maturation.