[Family of multiple peptide fragments derived from angiotensin and their interaction]

It is well established that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is the major regulatory network that maintains blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte balance and the homeostasis of cardiovascular system. Most studies in the last decades centered on the pivotal members of RAS, that is, angiotensin II (Ang II ) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Recent identification of ACE-2, the homology of ACE, and the identification of the multiple products degraded from angiotensin I, including Ang III, Ang IV, Ang(1-9), Ang(1-7), Des-Asp-angiotensin I(DAA I), etc, have proved that Ang II is not the only biological active compound of RAS. Peptides derived from angiotensinogen,that is, family of angiotensins,display independent and pleiotropic biological activities in vivo, and interact with each other both in metabolism pathway and the biologic effects. The imbalance of the network of angiotensin metabolites exhibits significant pathophysiological role in cardiovascular disease.