Importance of tyrosine phosphorylation in angiotensin II type 1 receptor signaling

Angiotensin II is the major effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin system. In addition to its vasoconstrictor activity, angiotensin II stimulates smooth muscle cell growth in arterial hypertension and in models of vascular injury. The angiotensin II type 1 receptor is a seven-transmembrane receptor and is responsible for virtually all the physiological actions of angiotensin II. This class of receptor signals in part through its association with heterotrimeric G proteins. A newly developed concept for guanine nucleotide protein-coupled receptors is the activation of intracellular second-messenger proteins via tyrosine phosphorylation. For instance, angiotensin II stimulates the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of phospholipase C-gamma1. Also, angiotensin II stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of Janus kinases. In this review, we discuss early signaling events induced by angiotensin II with an emphasis on tyrosine phosphorylation. Understanding the importance of tyrosine phosphorylation in the signaling pathways of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor may lead to new treatment modalities for cardiovascular disease.