Molecular biology of angiotensin II receptors: an overview

ISOFORMS OF ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTORS: So far, three isoforms of angiotensin II receptors have been identified by complementary DNA cloning, all with seven transmembrane domain structures. AT1A and AT1B are the most common isoforms. They are coupled to phospholipase C through Gq/G11 proteins and to a calcium channel, and negatively coupled to adenyl cyclase. AT2 is only remotely related to the AT1 family. KNOWN STRUCTURAL DETAILS OF ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTORS: Ligand-binding domains are being defined in the space surrounded by transmembrane helices. Coupling to Gq seems to involve the second cytosolic loop. Receptor proteins undergo transition to a low-affinity form, which is desensitized and internalized. CHROMOSOME LOCATION: In the rat, AT1A, AT1B and AT2 are located on chromosomes 17, 2 and X, respectively. SIGNALING PATHWAY: Studies with receptors are revealing several different pathways of angiotensin signaling that modulate protein tyrosine phopsphorylation.