KALLIKREINS AND KININS - MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS AND CELLULAR AND TISSUE RESPONSES

Kallikrein-kininogen-kinin systems are now topics of widespread intere st. The long-standing appreciation of their diverse pharmacological pr operties and biochemical characteristics is being supplemented by mode rn definitions of their cellular receptors' signal-transduction mechan isms and physiological and pathological roles. The assignment of impor tant homeostatic responsibilities for kinins, including those in autoc rine and paracrine signaling for skeletal and cardiac muscle energy me tabolism, is now subject to definitive experimental evaluation via the availability of better kallikrein inhibitors, specific kinin receptor antagonists, and techniques of genetic manipulation.