[Structure and functions of the angiotensin II AT1 receptors during evolution]

Angiotensin II AT1 receptor is a G protein coupled receptor, which transduces the physiological effects (vasoconstriction, aldosterone secretion) f this vasoactive peptide. On an evolutionary point of view, this receptor has appeared early in the development of vertebrates, since it is present in cartilagenous fish. It has been duplicated in rodents without any consequence on its functions. It is unlikely that the angiotensin AT2 receptor, whose functions are still debated, has diverged from a common ancestral angiotensin receptor with the AT1 receptor. Numerous activating or inactivating point mutations have been identified by site-directed mutagenesis of the AT1 receptor sequence. However, such natural mutations do not appear to be frequent in the genesis of human diseases or in the diversity of phenotypic traits.